Elgar's Enigma Variations, Cockaigne Overture, and Serenade for Strings have been recorded extremely often, but rarely any better than they are here by
Mark Elder and Hallé -- Manchester's rebranded
Hallé Orchestra. They truly capture the essence of the fin de siècle English master, offering both spit and polish and élan. Elder emerges as a terrific interpreter, delivering a kaleidoscopic and emotionally ranging Variations. Almost as good is his spirited account of the Serenade with a playful opening Allegro piacevole and an affecting central Larghetto. But best of all, perhaps, is
Elder's swaggering Cockaigne, with its impetuous themes, sparkling colors, and glorious climax. As a bonus, the release includes the world-premiere recording of the Variations' original Finale, which differs from the definitive version only in that it doesn't include the coda. While the published version is far more successful, the dedicated Elgarian will want to at least hear the master's first thoughts.