Rabbit Habits

Though the name Edward Elgar connotes music of noble sentiments, majesty and Edwardian gentility, his last completed major work, the Cello Concerto of 1918-19 is a dark, brooding statement, a lament for a world blown apart by war, never to return. The more familiar Elgarian moods are also well represented on this disc, gentility in the graceful 'Serenade for Strings,' nobility in the confidently striding 'Introduction and Allegro for Strings,' and majesty in the famous "Pomp and Circumstance" March No. 1.
Naxos has compiled this anthology from several different recordings, presenting an excellent bargain for those wanting an introduction to this music. Maria Kliegel is an affecting soloist in the concerto, conveying its tragic intensity especially well, and Adrian Leaper gets fresh sounding performances from his Czech forces in the other works.