01. Cockaigne. Concert Overture, op.40 'In London Town' [16'33]
02. - 04. *Serenade for Strings, op.20 [11'08]
05. - 07. *Introduction and Allegro, op.47 [14'33]
08. - 13. Falstaff. Symphonic Study in C minor, op.68 [36'17]
London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley
EMI Classics for Pleasure 5753072 (recorded September 1978 and *January 1983; this CD release 2002)
(flac and scans)
Recording venue: St Augustine's Kilburn and *Watford Town Hall
Recording engineer: Mike 'Mr Bear' Clements; Producer: Barry McCann
Another of EMI's recycling of top quality material. I posted the Serenade for Strings and Introduction and Allegro earlier when they were coupled with Enigma Variations. I don't think it is the venue that makes the recording of Cockaigne and Falstaff sound superior to the other two - more likely analogue versus early digital with 'Mr Bear' still getting to grips with the new equipment..
Nevertheless this is a very fine album with one of the finest Falstaffs on disc, with Handley's clear an affectionate reading. The Cockaigne is also first rate. Handley is slower than many in these two works but his tempi are close to Elgar's markings - Handley's Falstaff is more than six minutes slower than Andrew Davis in his exuberant 1974 recording for Lyrita - but each are excellent in their own way.
Those with sharp eyes will notice that, strangely, on this disc the Introduction and Allegro is inexplicably split into three tracks. On the earlier issue, it was the usual single track.