Charles Mackerras’s warm and voluble Elgar recordings bring one of the most stirring ‘Enigmas’ on record, a reflective yet resolute Cello Concerto and a disc of pieces of music inspired by childhood. A very young Bryn Terfel is a highlight on the ‘Starlight Express’ songs.
EDWARD ELGAR
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85*
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 ‘Enigma’
Froissart: Concert Overture, Op. 19
Dream Children – two pieces for small orchestra, Op. 43+
Starlight Express – Incidental music**+
The Wand of Youth Suites Nos. 1 & 2 Op. 1a & Op. 1b+
Alison Hagley, soprano**
Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone**
Robert Cohen, cello*
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera+
Charles Mackerras
“We can safely add [Robert Cohen’s] name to a familiar rollcall, Du Pré (EMI) and Isserlis (Virgin) probably topmost. We can certainly add Mackerras’s to a select group of pre-eminent Enigmas: it is really special …Elgar’s immaculately judged textures are sifted with scrupulous care and illumination … The brass couldn’t be riper, and the organ wells up nicely in this impressively full and immediate Decca recording. No question, a star-turn among current Enigmas” Gramophone
“Mackerras captures the wistful charm of the quieter pieces (on CD2) very effectively, and spirits are high in the more robust items” Gramophone