• Tracks

CD: Elgar - Sea Pictures & Symphony No.1 - LPO London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley - When the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Elgar Society planned a concert to mark the 50th anniversary of Elgar's death, Vernon Handley was the natural choice of conductor. Handley's feeling for English music was second to none, and his rapport with Elgar's music in particular is clear in these performances recorded live at the anniversary concert. Sea Pictures evokes contrasting images of the sea from five poems sung here by Dame Janet Baker, a peerless interpreter of the work. The First Symphony is one of Elgar's finest works for orchestra - hailed after it's premiere as 'the greatest symphony of modern times'. Dame Janet Baker contralto Vernon Handley CBE conductor