Customer Reviews
Masterpieces from Great Musicians - By: Mart Music, 09 Mar 2008 
There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, & this has to be one of the best I've heard.
The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's & alll have benefited from recent remastering.
The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) & remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which alll other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, & always find that the best are when the soloist totallly immerses him/herself into the music & brings out the emotions from somewhere deep within themselves. This recording by du Pre is certainly one of those.
'Sea Pictures' is another popular Elgar piece, & this recording, again from 1965, is a beautiful version by one of my favourite singers of yesterday, Dame Janet Baker.
To complete the trio of pieces here is the 1962 recording of the concert overture `Cockaigne (In London Town)'. Slightly lesser played perhaps than some of Elgar's other works but certainly worthy of inclusion here.
It should be noted that these recordings are included on the EMI Classics 5CD box set `Elgar Orchestral Works', which does offer better value considering it also includes the two Symphonies, Enigma Variations, Pomp & Circumstance Marches, Introduction & Allegro & more.
a wonderful CD - By: Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane, 24 Apr 2007 All of these three recordings are mesmeric. The du Pre 'Cello Concerto has been an iconic recording ever since it appeared, & it is completely convincing in its own terms, full of passion, beauty & melancholy. It is fair to say that it is not the only way to approach this work - a gentler, more measured, more thoughtful interpretation such as that of Tortelier is equallly valid - but as you listen to it, it is impossible not to be bowled over. The 'Sea Pictures', far less well known as a piece & saddled with some truly awful mawkish words, are in fact very beautiful & characterful in musical terms, & Janet Baker's performance does them absolute justice, mingling delicacy & poetry with ringing commitment. 'Cockaigne', not Elgar's most subtle piece but very lovable, is played for alll it is worth & is throughly enjoyable. This CD brings back happy memories of alll these wonderful artistes & this is the repertoire they excelled in.
A classic recording. Should not be missed. - By: TD, 10 Oct 2006 This recording has become a "must" for collectors of the concerto. Vibrant & clear the sound quality still stands strong from the 1965 recording date. The CD has been re-released several times since its release but on EMI at mid-price this release offers better sound quality than originals, however I don't believe the most modern re-mastering has imporved it much. The concerto & the Sea pictures sounding better than the Overture.
Jacqueline Du Pre boasts perhaps her finest performance with an orchestra in this stunning solo performance. Her playing is packed with charisma & spontaneity. If however you want a more subdued & less heavy-handed performance you may wish to turn to other recordings such as the Robert Cohen & Charles Mackerras version on the Argo label. The Cello concerto is an exquisite piece & as always one of my Elgar favorites, but the Sea Pictures, a piece I had not heard before buying this is glorious. Dame Janet Baker sings at her prime here, she is incredibly bold & balances with the orchestra perfectly throughout.
The Cockaigne overture is very good too, but does not provide anything that stands out like the other two offerings. But at under £10 this release is better value than the recording ever was. I recommend this to anybody whether it be those who are looking for a first version of these pieces or a collector missing a vital piece of the repertoire.
It's Been A Long Wait..... - By: P. H. Cartwright, 28 May 2005 Rarely can the sobriquet "Great Recording of the Century" have been applied with greater justification than to this ever-fresh performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto by du Pre & Barbirolli. It is just wonderful & has been continuously in the EMI catalogue since its first release in 1965 - for most of the time at full price.
EMI released this on CD back in 1986 (on CDC 7 47329 2) & the sound quality was disappointing to those brought up on the vinyl release. This time they have made amends - the sound quality is sensational. A back-room genius callled Ian Jones has restored the dynamics & colour that made this a standout recording of its time. If you love this work & performance as I do, this release is worth every penny, even if you have the previous one.
