Plugging A Gap

Filling in a glaring gap in my collection, this disk includes Elgar's Cello Concerto. It is not the obvious Du Pre / Barbirolli selection since I preferred the fillers on this disk where it is played by Paul Tortelier with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Groves. This is not a heart on sleeve full on emotional rendition but one that has obviously studied the score and still manages to bring out the valedictory feeling inherent in the work. Both Tortelier and Groves are at the end of long careers at the time of this recording in 1988 but there is no diminution in their talents. The aforementioned fillers are Elgar's Serenade For Strings played by the strings of the RPO and two other works featuring Tortelier as soloist. Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme is typically attractive and melodic, though at nearly 20 minutes does occasionally threaten to outstay its welcome. In contrast, the Rondo in G minor by Dvorak is a model of concision. The recorded sound isn't quite state of the art ( strange to be saying that of a recording as recent as 1988 ) but is more than adequate.