Elgar: Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20

“Magnificent Elgar from Haitink, masterfully balancing long-range sweep and fine orchestral detail, and finding ferocious brilliance in the First Symphony's Scherzo. Boult's Cockaigne is a coruscating bonus.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2011 ****

“conductor and orchestra seem alert to every nuance of Elgar's wonderful scoring. They make the most of the stranger and more remote regions of this great work, resulting in a performance that is full of interest as well as beautifully played and very well paced by Haitink.” International Record Review, May 2011

“This is almost certainly the very finest recording of English string music...Moreover it might also be considered one of Barbirolli's very finest records” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

“Lithe, athletic, confident, and spaciously recorded...A top Elgar recommendation.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2010 *****

“Barbirolli's way with Elgar's symphonies is different from Boult's - more supple and, in the Second, strikingly melancholic and bleak.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2010 ****

“Not even Sir John Barbirolli or the much underrated William Boughton quite captures the same sense of strings merely breathing on their instruments in the way Goodwin memorably achieves here. …while the strings of the ECO capture to glowing perfection the barely restrained emotions of the sublime Elegy. An outstanding programme.” International Record Review, March 2001

“Even before the review was in, a well-meaning soul placed this disc on my desk. This, my benefactor assured me, was not just “another Elgar” for the anniversary – it was something special. So it proves. Ehnes finds glowing tone and inspiration throughout in a beautiful yet penetrating reading. Will it displace my beloved Kennedy or Kang? Time will tell.” Gramophone Magazine

“Not since Nigel Kennedy's 1997 remake with Sir Simon Rattle and the CBSO (EMI, 1/98) have I heard an account of the Elgar as thrillingly combustible, imaginative and involving as this. Davis's utterly unforced and ravishingly moving account of the entrancing Serenade makes a cherishable pendant.” Gramophone Magazine, Janurary 2008

“James Ehnes has a lovely ripe vibrato and an expressive openness that touches the heart from his first entry. It's when it comes to the balancing of confessional intimacy with symphonic purposefulness that I'm not so convinced. Ehnes does try to drive the music forward in places, but the impression is more of spurts of activity amidst long stretches of dreamy lyricism.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2008 ***

“Not since Nigel Kennedy's 1997 EMI remake with Sir Simon Rattle and the CBSO has the Elgar received a recording as thrillingly combustible, imaginative and involving as this.
James Ehnes brings to this great concerto a rapt identification, tingling temperament and glowing ardour. Not only is Ehnes's technical address impeccable and intonation miraculously true, his contribution is remarkable for its intrepid emotional scope, athletic agility and (perhaps above all) jaw-dropping delicacy (nowhere more heart-tuggingly potent than in the finale's accompanied cadenza).
Ehnes is also fortunate in enjoying the support of Sir Andrew Davis, a proven Elgarian whose wonderfully perceptive conducting has authoritative sweep, elasticity and fiery passion to spare as well as a very special understanding of those moments of aching intimacy in which this of all scores abounds: what a ravishing backcloth he provides for the ineffable appearance of the 'Windflower' theme in the same movement; and how affecting are the strings' songful sighs in the ensuing Andante. One or two unruly timpani thwacks aside, the Philharmonia's response exhibits polish, grace and dedication.
Some might take issue with the sound which is a little shrouded and lacking something in alluring bloom (the actual balance is otherwise very much as you would hear from a seat in the stalls).
No matter, this remains a performance of conspicuous pedigree and insight guaranteed to make you fall in love all over again with this sublime music and which can only boost Ehnes's standing as one of the most gifted and charismatic fiddlers around. Davis's utterly unforced and ravishingly moving account of the entrancing Serenade makes a cherishable pendant.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“[an] excpetionally subtle and understand account of the Elgar Violin Concerto. [Ehnes's] half-tones are ravishing, and though he uses a wide vibrato the result is anything but sentimental..Andrew Davis's lilting account of the Serenade for Strings makes an excellent fill-up.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition