Ashkenazy’s performance of Elgar’s Second was a blinder and a very exciting event. However, live performances do not always translate to equally successful recordings. Elgar’s Second never fully recovered from the expectations of the original audience.

His First Symphony had been a great success and the flag-waving Brits of 1910 were up for more pomp and circumstance, especially coming only days after the death of Edward VII. Instead, Elgar gave them this remarkable, wonderful symphony, a much harder nut to crack than his first, with its broad, confident themes. Many experts, from composer George Lloyd onwards, have regarded the Second as the greatest English symphony ever written.Though this is an excellent recording of the work, it is somewhat brash and often lacks nuance. A reflection of Ashkenazy’s bull-in-a-china-shop approach to conducting, which can be very exciting in the concert hall, especially when the Sydney orchestra lets out all of its considerable stops.

The benchmark recording of the work is that of Sir John Barbirolli and the Hallé Orchestra (EMI 50999 9 68924 2). Immediately you can hear the problem with the newer recording. The Halle’s strings are rich and dazzling; Barbirolli’s reading wonderfully varied and dynamic.Despite these reservations, this new recording is certainly worth the attention of Elgar lovers. I’m not sure what the dreary abstract CD cover is all about. I can’t imagine it calling out “Elgar” to potential buyers.