Symphonies 1 & 2

Elgar's two symphonies have a special place in English musical history. When they were first played they towered head and shoulders - in sheer technique, let alone content - above previous symphonic offerings by British composers. Today when we have the magnificent symphonies of Vaughan Williams, Walton, Bax, Rubbra, Britten and others to set beside them, they still stand apart, having already achieved the status of classics. Their mastery may have been equalled - it has not been surpassed.