classic FM - the full works CDs

[timwileman]

i know very little about classical music but just brought elgar's enigma's variations on classic FMs ''the full works'' series of CDs

is the recording any good?

and if so any recommendations on others to get?

 

[matthewpiano]

Who is the orchestra and conductor on the recording?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Mackerras

And my colleagues on Gramophone said "We can certainly add Mackerras's to a select group of pre-eminent Enigmas: it is really special. The brass couldn't be riper in this impressively full and immediate Decca recording. No question, a star-turn among current Enigmas"

 

[matthewpiano]

Yes its a wonderful recording. I remember listening to the original Decca release. My personal favourite in this repertoire however is on EMI Classics Great Recordings of the Century. Its a 1971 recording by the London Symphony Orchestra under the wonderful Sir Adrian Boult and its coupled with an incredible reading of Holst's Planets. The recorded sound is fabulous too.

If you are interested in building a collection, the BBC Music Magazine is a great way to explore some music fairly cheaply because their cover discs of full works are consistently of a high standard. The Naxos website is also a great place to start because there are options to listen to anything from their extensive and largely very worthwhile catalogue of recordings.

 

[timwileman]

cheers Matthew and Mr E!