This is an excellent recording of these works. It was once a top-rated Enigma in a 1992 edition but is not now included in the Penguin Guide. I suppose constraints of space severely restrict such a one-volume work.In the 1992 Guide it was said that " whatever individual quirks there are in Sinopoli's readings of Elgar, the passion behind them is highly authentic and totally convincing, harking back to the composer's own unashamedly emotional performances." DG include these recordings as part of an 'essential masterpiece' collection of CDs which includes Von Karajan, Abbado, Szell, Previn, Preston, Fischer-Dieskau, Bernstein, Giulini, Barenboim et al. Clearly they think it a recording of considerable merit. Anyone wishing to purchase these works can do so with confidence. Musicologists will debate finer points here and there but the person who just likes to listen to music's charms without deconstruction into all the parts will be well satisfied.The Philharmonia.Orchestra were on top form under Sinopoli and Mischa Maisky plays the much-loved cello concerto. Buy and enjoy.
