Elgar: Cello Concerto / Enigma Variations / Froissart / Starlight Express / etc

Sir 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.

"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

"Some very fine Elgar interpretation, especially if you like to home in on the nostalgic side"
(MusicWeb March 2008)