Elgar: In the South (Alassio), Op. 50

“Norrington captures the humour, the mercurial changes in mood and shading very plausibly. While one may miss the ripe, luxurious sound of a modern string section, the clarity that emerges has a lot to tell us about Elgar's textures - in this, one may well be reminded of Elgar's own recordings.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2011 ****

“the SWR RSO is evidently a fine orchestra, but Norrington's insistence on such a chaste string sound inevitably brings a coolness to music that demands more expressive warmth. In other respects, these performances are uncontroversial” The Guardian, 20th October 2011 ***

“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 ****

“The opening of In the South bursts in explosively, carrying one along, and the great viola solo of the Serenade is most movingly done, leading to the ripest of horn solos.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2009

"Elgar’s Second Symphony blossoms in the hands of Richard Hickox and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales" Classic FM Magazine ‘Disc of the Month’

“The performance itself is consistently impressive. At its heart is a grave, sensitive account of the slow movement… Opening the programme is a surging, ebullient rendition of Elgar's Italian travelogue In the South, where the SACDs depiction of the deep-pile writing for bass drum is seriously impressive.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2005 ****

“Solti seems freed from emotional inhibitions, with every climax superbly thrust home and the hushed intensity of the glorious slow movement captured magnificently on CD” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

“To George Hurst, a seasoned Elgarian, goes the credit for the cogency of the whole concept.” BBC Music Magazine

“Solti presents Elgar as a full-blooded Romantic, in performances of overwhelming sweep, power and passion, beautifully played and recorded.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2013 *****