Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. 1. Andante, nobilmente e semplice - Allegro
2. 2. Allegro molto -
3. 3. Adagio
4. 4. Lento - Allegro

Disc 2:

1. 1. Allegro vivace e nobilmente
2. 2. Larghetto
3. 3. Rondo: Presto
4. 4. Moderato e maestoso

Disc 3:

1. 1. Falstaff and Prince Henry
2. 2. Eastcheap - Gadshill - The Boar's Head, revelry and sleep
3. Dream Interlude: 'Jack Falstaff, now Sir John, a boy, and page to Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk'
4. 3. Falstaff's march - The return through Gloucestershire -
5. Interlude: Gloucestershire. Shallow's orchard (Allegretto) - The new king - The hurried ride to Lon
6. 4. King Henry V's progress - The repudiation of Falstaff, and his death

Disc 4:

1. Theme
2. 1. C.A.E. (the composer's wife)
3. 2. H.D.S-P. (Hew David Steuart-Powell)
4. 3. R.B.T. (Richard Baxter Townshend)
5. 4. W.M.B. (William Meath Baker)
6. 5. R.P.A. (Richard Penrose Arnold)
7. 6. Ysobel (Isabel Fitton)
8. 7. Troyte (Troyte Griffith)
9. 8. W.N. (Winifred Norbury)
10. 9. Nimrod (A.J. Jaeger)
11. 10. Intermezzo: Dorabella (Dora Penny)
12. 11. G.R.S. (George Robertson Sinclair)
13. 12. B.G.N. (Basil G. Nevinson)
14. 13. Romanza: *** [Lady Mary Lygon]
15. 14. Finale: E.D.U. (the composer)
16. No. 1 in D
17. No. 2 in A minor
18. No. 3 in C minor
19. No. 4 in G
20. No. 5 in C
21. 1. Allegro piacevole
22. 2. Larghetto
23. 3. Allegretto - Come prima

Disc 5:

1. 1. Sea Slumber-Song
2. 2. In Haven (Capri)
3. 3. Sabbath Morning at Sea
4. 4. Where Corals Lie
5. 5. The Swimmer
6. 1. Adagio - Moderato -
7. 2. Lento - Allegro molto
8. 3. Adagio
9. 4. Allegro - Moderato - Allegro ma non troppo

Disc 6:

1. 1. Allegro
2. 2. Romance: Andante
3. 3. Allegro non troppo
4. 1. Allegro
5. 2. Andante
6. 3. Allegro molto - Cadenza (accompagnata: Lento) - Allegro molto (Tempo 1)

Disc 7:

1. 1. Aubade (Awake) (Allegretto)
2. 2. The Serious Doll (Andantino)
3. 3. Busy-ness (Allegro molto)
4. 4. The Sad Doll (Andantino)
5. 5.The Wagon (Passes) (Allegretto)
6. 6. The Merry Doll (Allegro molto)
7. 7. Dreaming (Lento) -
8. Envoy (Coda)
9. 1. Worcester Castle (Introduction)
10. 2. Tournament (Toccata)
11. 3. Cathedral (Fugue)
12. 4. Commandery (Minuet)
13. 5. Coda
14. 1a. Introduction (Allegro)
15. 1b. Dance of Nautch Girls (Allegretto)
16. 2. Menuetto (Moderato)
17. 3. Warriors' Dance (Allegro)
18. 4. Intermezzo (Andantino)
19. 5. March of the Mogul Emperors (Moderato maestoso)

Disc 8:

1. 1. Allegro maestoso
2. 2. Allegretto
3. 3. Andante espressivo
4. 4. Presto (comodo)
5. 1. Overture: Allegro molto
6. 2. Serenade: Andantino
7. 3. Minuet (Old Style): Andante
8. 4. Sun Dance: Presto
9. 5. Fairy Pipers: Allegretto
10. 6. Slumber Scene: Moderato
11. 7. Fairies and Giants: Presto
12. 1. March: Alla marcia (Allegro moderato)
13. 2. The Little Bells (Scherzino): Allegro molto
14. 3. Moths and Butterflies (Dance): Allegretto
15. 4. Fountain Dance: Allegretto comodo
16. 5. The Tame Bears: Allegretto moderato
17. 6. The Wild Bears: Presto

Disc 9:

1. 1. The Dance (Sonnenbichl): Allegretto giocoso
2. 2. Lullaby (In Hammersbach): Moderato
3. 3. The Marksman (Bei Murnau): Allegro vivace
4. No. 1. Chanson de nuit
5. No. 2. Chanson de matin
6. Fantasia
7. Fugue

Disc 10:

1. Funeral March
2. Incidental Music
3. Funeral March
4. Triumphal March

Disc 11:

1. Minuet
2. 1. Allegro maestoso
3. 2. Allegretto piacevole
4. 1. Mazurka
5. 2. Sérénade mauresque
6. 3. Contrasts: The Gavotte AD 1700 and 1900

Disc 12:

1. 1. Moderato - Allegro
2. 2. Adagio
3. 3. Andante - Allegro
4. 1. Allegro moderato
5. 2. Piacevole: Poco andante
6. 3. Finale: Allegro molto

Disc 13:

1. Part 1. Prelude (Lento, mistico - Moderato - Andantino - Come prima)
2. Part 1. Jesu, Maria - I am near to death
3. Part 1. So pray for me...Kyrie eleison...
4. Part 1. Rouse thee, my fainting soul...Be merciful
5. Part 1. Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus
6. Part 1. I can no more...Rescue him, O Lord
7. Part 1. Noe from the waters...Novissima hora est
8. Part 1. Proficiscere, anima Christiana
9. Part 1. Go in the name of Angels

Disc 14:

1. Part 2. (Andantino)
2. Part 2. I went to sleep
3. Part 2. Another marvel...My work is done
4. Part 2. It is a member of that family...A presage falls upon thee
5. Part 2. But hark!...Low-born clods of brute earth
6. Part 2. Dispossessed, aside thrust
7. Part 2. I see not those false spirits
8. Part 2. There was a mortal...Praise to the Holiest
9. Part 2. But hark! a grand mysterious harmony
10. Part 2. Thy judgment now is near
11. Part 2. Jesu! by that shuddering dread
12. Part 2. Praise to His name!...Take me away
13. Part 2. Softly and gently

Disc 15:

1. Prologue
2. Part 1. 1. The Calling of the Apostles. And it came to pass in those days
3. Part 1. 1. The Calling of the Apostles. In the Mountain - Night. The Dawn
4. Part 1. 1. The Calling of the Apostles. In the Mountain - Night. Morning Psalm
5. Part 1. 1. The Calling of the Apostles. In the Mountain - Night. The Lord hath chosen them
6. Part 1. 2. By the Wayside
7. Part 1. 3. By the Sea of Galilee. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples
8. Part 1. 3. By the Sea of Galilee. In the Tower of Magdala
9. Part 1. 3. By the Sea of Galilee. Fantasy. This shall ye have of mine hand
10. Part 1. 3. By the Sea of Galilee. In Caesarea Philippi. When Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea
11. Part 1. 3. By the Sea of Galilee. In Caesarea Philippi. And I will give unto thee
12. Part 1. 3. By the Sea of Galilee. In Capernaum. Turn you to the stronghold

Disc 16:

1. Part 2. Introduction
2. Part 2. 4. The Betrayal. And it came to pass
3. Part 2. 4. The Betrayal. Then gathered the Chief Priests and Pharisees
4. Part 2. 4. The Betrayal. Hail, Master!
5. Part 2. 4. The Betrayal. In the Place of the High Priest. Then Judas, which had betrayed him
6. Part 2. 4. The Betrayal. The Temple. Without the temple
7. Part 2. 5. Golgotha
8. Part 2. 6. At the Sepulchre
9. Part 2. 7. The Ascension. We trusted that it had been He
10. Part 2. 7. The Ascension. Give us one heart
11. Elgar's use of leitmotiv. General Introduction
12. Elgar's use of leitmotiv. Introduction to "The Apostles and The Kingdom"
13. Motto themes used for the principal characters: Christ, the Man of Sorrows
14. Motto themes used for the principal characters: The Spirit of the Lord
15. Motto themes used for the principal characters: Christ's Loneliness
16. Motto themes used for the principal characters: The Beatitudes
17. Motto themes used for the principal characters: Judas
18. Motto themes used for the principal characters: St Peter
19. Motto themes used for abstract ideas: The Gospel
20. Motto themes used for abstract ideas: The Church
21. Motto themes used for abstract ideas: The Fellowship of the Apostles
22. Motto themes used only in "The Kingdom". The New Faith (Christianity)
23. Motto themes used only in "The Kingdom". In the name of Jesus Christ
24. Motto themes used only in "The Kingdom". The Real Presence (Christ)
25. Motto theme quoted from "The Light of Life"
26. Motto theme quoted from "The Dream of Gerontius"

Disc 17:

1. Prelude
2. Part 1. In the Upper Room. Seek first the Kingdom of God
3. Part 1. In the Upper Room. Men and brethren
4. Part 1. In the Upper Room. O ye priests!
5. Part 2. At the Beautiful Gate
6. Part 3. Pentecost. And when the day of Pentecost
7. Part 3. Pentecost. And suddenly there came from Heaven
8. Part 3. Pentecost. Repent, and be baptised

Disc 18:

1. Part 4. The Sign of Healing. Then they that gladly received his word
2. Part 4. The Sign of Healing. And as they spake...The Sun goeth down
3. Part 5. The Upper Room. The voice of joy
4. Part 5. The Upper Room. Thou, Almighty God
5. Part 5. The Upper Room. Our Father
6. 1. Crown the King
7. 2a. The Queen
8. 2b. Daughter of ancient Kings
9. 3. Britain, ask of thyself
10. 4. Hark, upon the hallowed air...Only let the heart be pure
11. 5. Peace, gentle Peace
12. 6. Land of Hope and Glory

Disc 19:

1. 1. Meditation
2. 2. Seek Him that maketh the seven stars
3. 3. As Jesus passed by
4. 4. Be not extreme, O Lord
5. 5. Neither hath this man sinned
6. 6. Light out of darkness
7. 7. And when He had thus spoken
8. 8. Doubt not thy Father's care
9. 9. He went his way therefore
10. 10. As a spirit didst Thou pass before mine eyes
11. 11. They brought him to the Pharisees
12. 12. Thou only hast the words of Life!
13. 13. But the Jews did not believe
14. 14. Woe to the shepherds of the flock!
15. 15a. Jesus heard that they had cast him out
16. 15b. I am the good Shepherd
17. 16. Light of the World, we know Thy praise

Disc 20:

1. Scene 1: 'Twas Pentecost
2. Scene 2: To the barrier of the fight
3. Scene 3: Pipe and viol call the dances
4. Scene 4: To the sumptuous banquet
5. Introduction: There is a wondrous brook
6. 1. Recit.: Summon now the God of Thunder
7. 2. The Challenge of Thor
8. 3. King Olaf's Return
9. 4. Recit.: Tell how Olaf bore the Cross
10. 5. The Conversion: King Olaf's prows at Nidaros
11. 5. The Conversion: Behold me, my people
12. 5. The Conversion: As leap the lights of winter
13. 5. The Conversion: Then o'er the blood-stained Horg-stone
14. 5. The Conversion: O brothers of Iceland

Disc 21:

1. 6. Recit.: Now the child of Ironbeard dead
2. 7. Gudrun
3. 8. Recit.: How the Wraith of Odin old
4. 9. The Wraith of Odin
5. 10. Sisters, sing ye now the song
6. 11. Sigrid
7. 12. Hark! she flies from Wendland forth
8. 13. Thyri
9. 14. The gray land breaks to lively green
10. 15. Recit.: After Queen Gunhild's death
11. 16. The Death of Olaf
12. Epilogue. In the convent of Drontheim -
13. Epilogue. As torrents in summer -
14. Epilogue. Stronger than steel
15. No. 1. The Snow
16. No. 2. Fly, singing bird

Disc 22:

1. Scene 1. Watchmen, alert!
2. Scene 1. Solo: Watchmen, alert! the King is here
3. Scene 1. Recit.: Father! Sire and King
4. Scene 1. Solo: At eve to the greenwood
5. Scene 1. Trio: On the ocean and the river
6. Scene 1. Chorus: Rest, weary monarch
7. Scene 2. Solo and chorus: Tread the mystic circle around
8. Scene 2. Chorus (Invocation): Lord of dread
9. Scene 2. Recit.: Bard, what read ye?
10. Scene 2. Solo and chorus: Leap to the light
11. Scene 2. Chorus: Hence, ere the Druid's wrath is woke

Disc 23:

1. Scene 3. Introduction (Woodland Interlude)
2. Scene 3. Chorus: Come! beneath our woodland bow'rs
3. Scene 3. Solo: O'er-arched by leaves
4. Scene 3. Solo: Last night beneath the sacred oak
5. Scene 3. Chorus and duet: Come! beneath our woodland bow'rs
6. Scene 4. Chorus: Wild rumours shake our calm retreat
7. Scene 4. Solo: When the glow of the evening had died
8. Scene 4. Chorus: We were gather'd by the river
9. Scene 4. Solo and chorus (Lament): O my soldiers, tell me truly
10. Scene 5. Chorus and solo: Captive Britons, see them!
11. Scene 6. Chorus: The march triumphal thunders
12. Scene 6. Unbind his hands
13. Scene 6. Solo: Heap torment upon torment
14. Scene 6. Chorus and recit.: Slay, slay the Briton
15. Scene 6. Solo: I plead not for myself
16. Scene 6. Quartet: Grace from the Roman!
17. Scene 6. Chorus: The clang of arms is over

Disc 24:

1. Scene 1
2. Scene 2 - Epilogue (March)
3. Te Deum
4. Benedictus

Disc 25:

1. 1. The Fourth of August
2. 2. To Women
3. 3. For the Fallen
4. Land of Hope and Glory

Disc 26:

1. Introduction
2. Andante
3. Te Deum
4. Benedictus
5. 1. Allegro maestoso
6. 2. Allegretto
7. 3. Andante espressivo
8. 4. Presto (comodo)

Disc 27:

1. (Moderato e nobilmente)
2. We are the music makers
3. With wonderful deathless ditties
4. We, in the ages lying
5. A breath of our inspiration
6. They had no vision amazing
7. And therefore to-day is thrilling
8. But we, with our dreaming and singing
9. For we are afar with the dawning
10. Great hail! we cry to the comers
11. A glade
12. Pan enters piping, then curls up to sleep
13. A Young Man enters, awaiting someone
14. Two girls enter gaily; the Young Man returns the fan which the First Girl has dropped in the excite
15. The Young Man declared his passion for the First Girl and is blindfolded; a quarrel
16. Echo awakes Pan, who falls in love with her; they dance till exhausted
17. Three Shepherdesses bring gifts for Pan
18. The First Girl and the Young Man enter, she angry, he pleading; thunder
19. Echo snatches Pan's pipes and tempts the Young Man
20. Echo, now disguised as a mortal, captivates the Young Man
21. Pan rouses and, full of jealous wrath, pursues the Young Man; thunder and lightning; the Young Man
22. Echo, sans disguise, runs back to pan; they embrace madly and run off; the girl kneels by her prost

Disc 28:

1. 1. Prelude: Overture & Organ-Grinder's Song 1: To the Children
2. Act 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. Scene 1. 2-5. The Earth had forgotten it's a star - The
3. Act 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. Scene 1. 6-7. Daddy's star story - The Star Cave
4. Act 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. Scene 1. 8-10. The Gardener comes - A great Un-Wumbler'
5. Act 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. Scene 1. 11. Interlude: The Organ-Grinder and the Sprit
6. Act 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. Scene 2. 12, 14. What jolly stars! - Goodnight
7. Act 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. Scene 2. 15. Second Prelude: Organ-Grinder's Song 2: Th
8. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 17, 18. Orion and the Pleiades (Melody) - Orga
9. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 19. Interlude (Home to sleep)
10. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 20-22. Outside the Star Cave - The Wumbled Peo
11. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 23-25. Entry of the Sweep - Entry of the Organ
12. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 26-28. Entry of the Laugher - Laugher's Song 1
13. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 29. Organ-Grinder's Song 4: Wake up, you littl
14. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 30. Ballet: The Dance of the Little Winds
15. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 31-32. The kind old Dustman - Into the Star Ca
16. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 33. Loading up with Star-Dust (Sun Dance from
17. Act 2. Scene 1. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest. 34. Interlude: The Wistaria Pension at night
18. Act 2. Scene 2. Bourcelles: The Wistaria Pension. 35-36. The Lamplighter at work - Off again
19. Act 2. Scene 3. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. 37-38. The Den at Night - Un-wumbling Daddy an
20. Act 2. Scene 3. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. 39-41. The Lamplighter at work again - Departu
21. Act 2. Scene 3. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. 42. Third Prelude: Organ-Grinder's Song 5: My
22. Act 3. Scene 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. 43-45. Jane-Anne's Song - Miss Waghorn - The s
23. Act 3. Scene 1. Bourcelles: The Den at La Citadelle. 46. Interlude: The Waltz of the Blue-Eyes Fair
24. Act 3. Scene 2. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest at Night. 47. Outside the Star-Cave again...Lau
25. Act 3. Scene 2. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest at Night. 48. The Spirit of Miss Waghorn - Dadd
26. Act 3. Scene 2. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest at Night. 49. Our Fairyland - Ensemble
27. Act 3. Scene 2. Outside Bourcelles: The Pine Forest at Night. 50. Finale: The Dance of the Pleiades

Disc 29:

1. 1. The Dance (Sonnenbichl)
2. 2. False Love (Wamberg)
3. 3. Lullaby (In Hammersbach)
4. 4. Aspiration (Bei Sankt Anton)
5. 5. On the Alm (Hoch Alp)
6. 6. The Marksman (Bei Murnau)
7. 3. Was it some golden star?
8. 1. Oh, soft was the song
9. 6. Twilight
10. 1. The Torch
11. 2. The River
12. The Shower
13. My love dwelt in a northern land
14. 1. Yea, cast me from heights of the mountains
15. 2. Whether I find thee
16. 3. After many a dusty mile
17. 4. It's oh! to be a wild wind
18. 5. Feasting I watch
19. No. 2. Deep in my soul

Disc 30:

1. No. 1 in D
2. No. 2 in A minor
3. No. 3 in C minor
4. No. 4 in G
5. No. 5 in C
6. Prelude
7. 1. Allegro piacevole
8. 2. Larghetto
9. 3. Allegretto - Come prima
10. No. 4
11. No. 1. Chanson de nuit
12. No. 2. Chanson de matin
13. Land of Hope and Glory

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118359 in Music
• Released on: 2007-11-06
• Number of discs: 30
• Formats: Box set, Collector's Edition

Album Details
Elgar is the Quintessential English Composer. He is Loved as Our Shakespeare of Music, and We Turn to Him at Times of Solemn Remembrance and National Rejoicing. This Edition, Released to Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Composer's Birth, Presents all the Major Orchestral, Choral, Chamber and Stage Works, as Well as Many Lesser Pieces and Rarities, in Interpretations by the 20th Century's Finest Elgarians. All Your Favourite Elgar is Here, in Over 32 Hours of Music on 30 Cds.

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Customer Reviews

Great Bargain of Elgar Masterworks and Forgotten Gems!
Like Sony's Stravinsky set, this Elgar set from EMI seems to want to challenge the Brilliant Classics label by providing lots of music for little money. This costs more than the Stravinsky, but you get 30 cds here as opposed to the 22 in the Stravinsky set. On the average, you are paying $2 a disc, as opposed to the seperate issues listed on Amazon that are going for about $20 in some instances.
What about the performances? I have many of these works already in my collection and most are digital recordings. Two are bonafide classics: Jaqueline du Pre's Cello Concerto and Janet Baker's Sea Pictures. Problem is, many people might already have these already-this remastering was in 2004 and released as a "Great Recordings of the Century" for $12.98. Most of the orchestral works are conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. The symphonies are impressive, but I can think of better ones to use as supplements-Solti, Previn, Colin Davis and George Hurst in No.1 and Solti, Previn, Downes in No.2. Barbirolli's interpretations are rather mellower than the ones listed above and I feel that one should get to know these works through their recordings first. The smaller works fare better: Introduction and Allegro, Elegy, Sospiri, Cockaigne Overture, Serenade in E Minor. Falstaff and Froissart come in competition with Simon Rattle on EMI and Mark Elder on the Halle Orchestra's label. The Enigma Variations and Pomp and Circumstance Marches will be much appreciated for those who like the old school way of performing these works. Also note that the Barbirolli recordings are analog stereo and the quality varies from work to work. Hugh Bean's recording of the Violin Concerto was chosen instead of both of Nigel Kennedy's and Menhuin's recordings-and this was a great idea, because there is no duplication involved with my collection! Bean's recording is on the slow side which seems to be the norm nowadays. Anyone used to this should really enjoy his interpretation. He also plays the Violin Sonata. Cd 7 includes Sir Charles Groves conducting Suites: Nursery, Severn, Crown of India (with it's swaggering March of the Mogul Emperors) and Coronation March. The rest of the set has relatively unknown Elgar compositions that have been recorded sporadically, therefore upping the desirableness of this set. There are some very good digital recordings here. Although I have not listened to all of it, here are some highlights: the Coronation Ode (with its end using "Land of Hope and Glory", Gordon Jacob's orchestration of the Organ Sonata, a illustrated talk on The Apostles and The Kingdom narrated by Sir Adrian Boult, Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, The Spirit of England, and a Elgar conducts Elgar sampler for cd 30. Even if there is duplication, this cd set has much repertoire that is hard to find, although you will be missing texts and program notes, which may be more of a detriment in the choral works with orchestra. If you already have those on other recordings you can use their texts along with this set. Maybe EMI will post texts on their web site. I will continue to sample and discover new works of Elgar as well as appreciate these performances of works that I already am familiar with.

Excellent if imperfect
It's hard not to like Elgar -- his music is tuneful, bombastic in all the right ways, and has an air of ceremony that somehow perfectly fits what British music should sound like. I guess it's just that Elgar defines "British" music.

There are certainly highlights in this set -- Falstaff and the Cello Concerto are so good that I think any other performance I'll ever hear of either of them will be ruined because they won't compare. The oratorios The Dream of Gerontius and The Apostles as presented are widely considered the best out there. And I haven't heard better. There's plenty more here to enjoy even if they're not absolutely authoritative.

I don't like Barbirolli's interpretation of the symphonies -- he takes the "noble" themes in both symphonies and slows them down, probably thinking that stretching them out emphasizes their gloriousness. He does this in the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, too. It's pretentious and doesn't work. The momentum is disrupted to the point that the music is painfully dragging.

I also take issue with the remastering job. Most of the digital remastering was done 15 to 20 years ago, and it shows. The sound is not as crisp as it should be, especially among the strings. It's not terrible, but it really sticks out in the later discs (20 and beyond). It's all of the non-famous stuff, so I don't know if many people will care; some may never work their way all the way to the end.

One reason why many may get turned off by this set and never get through it is that the booklet included just lists the tracks. There's no text, libretto, biography, or explanation of the works. I recommend going to the Elgar Foundation's website to get more information about the compositions and Elgar's life. But with the exception of Gerontius, you're going to have a tough time finding libretti. It's painful to listen to 20 hours of choral works when you can't follow along.

Semi-major works like Caractacus and Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf are hard to appreciate when there's limited information about them online. They're 2 hour blurs to me -- I can't focus on them because I don't know what all the singing is about and there's virtually no way to know because the diction is so-so and the sound quality isn't crystal clear. Maybe others don't share this problem, but I get the feeling I'm not alone.

There's plenty of good here, especially in the orchestral side, to justify the price. The packaging is satisfactory -- paper sleeves for the discs in a shelf-saving format. For $50, it's what you should expect. But EMI fails to grasp that Elgar's works aren't just about the recording legacies Groves, Barbirolli, and Handley -- it should also be about Elgar himself. With a composer who wrote so much vocal and choral music, the lack of texts and biographical information is enough to take away a significant amount of appeal of this box set, regardless of its price point.