This set conveniently brings together Colin Davis’ LSO Elgar symphony cycle–but the results are mixed. To recapitulate: Davis pokes at the First Symphony like a high school biology student dissecting a particularly slimy frog; it’s a clumsy, dull performance that never catches fire, though the work itself remains problematic in any case. No. 2, on the other hand, is stunning, without doubt one of the handful of great recordings of the work. It has all the passion, vibrancy, and bittersweetness typical of Elgar’s finest writing. As for No. 3, this also may be its best recording, but the piece itself is an abomination that no one who truly cares about or understands Elgar could possibly sanction. Naturally some may disagree, and if so, then this set represents a pretty good deal even though one of the performances is a dud. If you’re on the fence, just get the Second Symphony individually and savor this partnership of conductor and orchestra at its most persuasive.
