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This is the type of compilation that often lies at the heart of split opinions on classical music, tapping into the tension that continues to exist between listeners of Radio 3 and Classic FM. The former might view this as the continued dumbing down of classical music, the latter would welcome with open arms a selective marking of the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of England's very finest composers. The problem here would seem to be the 'bleeding chunks' that often exist as a result of trying to portray all creative sides of a composer.
The Elgar Experience doesn't come close to a successful capture of all these sides, however, though surely if you could capture those sides in two compact discs he wouldn’t be so good after all! Thankfully that's an observation of Sir Edward's achievements rather than the paucity of value, however - what this collection does do is mark in a mostly reverent fashion some of his best orchestral writing.
Warner's advantage is that at their disposal they have some fine recordings from Andrew Davis' tenure with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. When you consider their complete canon on five CDs is available for little more than this double pack, it's almost a no brainer - but if you need convincing, a carefully thought out performance of the Enigma Variations should tip the balance.
Other complete works include the wonderful Cockaigne overture, exuberantly despatched by Davis and his team with sensitive rhythmic nuances, along with a bright Introduction and Allegro for strings. The 'pops' are there also, all in perfectly serviceable performances if lacking that last ounce of flair that Sir John Barbirolli brought to this music - Chanson de Matin, Salut D'Amour, the First and Fourth Pomp And Circumstance marches. The First is, of course, expanded into 'Land Of Hope And Glory', and the disc ends with a riotous live recording of this from the 1994 Proms, noisy Promenaders in 100th season pomp.
Elgar's introverted side gets a brief look-in as well, with the Dream Interlude from Falstaff, Sospiri and a particularly tender Larghetto from the Serenade for Strings bringing brief respite.
But the excerpts from the Symphonies and Cello Concerto are fitful, more difficult to justify and place in context. Two chunks from the Concerto are spread across the discs, which does nobody any favours, particularly the fine Finnish cellist Arto Noras. And while it's good to hear Davis' rumbustuous opening to the Second Symphony, first time listeners to the work will get completely the wrong impression from hearing the first movement alone. Likewise the First symphony, represented by an admittedly sublime Adagio.
In the end it all depends on your viewpoint. It should be pointed out that this selection is not by any means fully representative of Elgar's career or style, but it will whet your appetite for more. None of the marvellous choral writing of Gerontius makes it here – presumably due to Warner's lack of an available version - and nor does his chamber music or any vocal items at all, whether Sea Pictures or his choral work in a sacred context. These are for later investigation, clearly.
With all that said, if you're searching for an introduction to the orchestral works of England's finest, there are far worse places to start - but I would counsel on heading straight for the Enigma Variations and Cockaigne, avoiding the scraps of the bigger works.
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