Enigma Variations / Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 and 4 / Serenade for Strings

"Freshly spontaneous throughout", said the Gramophone of the Enigma, "undoubtably good value", added the Penguin Guide.

The Enigma Variations was the turning point in Elgar's life, but by that time he was already 42 and had been struggling to make his mark as a composer, earning a living as a teacher and writer. The very name of the work prompted so much speculation as to cause in itself an interest in the music. In a modest way it also proved to be the first music that England had 'exported' for over two centuries, with performances taking place in many parts of Europe, particularly Germany.

And yet to the vast majority of people, it is the Pomp and Circumstance Marches that represent Elgar, the Imperialist and English Gentleman. He was uneasy that they had such a devastating success, as he had conceived them simply as orchestral marches.

The Serenade was a much earlier work, and probably written with amateur musicians largely in mind. He had at that time - 1892 - almost given up hope of a career as a composer.