Elgar: Violin Concerto / Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending

I've listened to many recordings of the concerto including Kennedy's earlier recording, but I think this later one with Rattle, Kyoko Takezawa's RCA version ( Elgar - Orchestral Works ) and Kung Wha Chung/Solti's account ( Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor, Salut d'amour, La Capricieuse. ) come on top of my list.Kennedy/Rattle performance is more expanssive (slowest among these three recordings) and there are many breath taking moments of serenity in the most sublime rendition of the slow movement, and also some movingly beautiful moments in the first and the last movement. Kennedy's playing is intensely beautiful and more masculine than his earlier performance. His tone is very focussed and rich. Rattle captures the mood swing and the longing in Elgar's music perfectly and draws deeply felt playing from the orchestra.This is definitely a must-buy CD, alongside Chung and Takezawa's equally outstanding recordings!

Nigel Kennedy, Simon Rattle and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra weave their magic in the lovely pieces of music this CD provides. Wonderful!

I am no fan of Nigel Kennedy as I find his weird clothes and affected working class accent irritating. However when he picks up the violin he has real magic in his hands. I already had his earlier performance of this work which really did set the standard. This newer one is freer and more rhapsodic. It does not replace the earlier performance but rather complements it. There is also a magical performance of the Vaughan Williams. Rattle companies superbly. A fine disc of a great performance.

The Elgar is elegant and committed - clearly a favourite with both Kennedy and Rattle. 'Lark' is on the slow side - 4 minutes slower than Barenboim and Zuckerman in the 70s - and rather outstays its welcome. Worth having, all the same.

Nigel Kennedy and the Birmingham Orchestra at their best.

I've listened to a lot of recordings of this and, other than the two famous vintage recordings, this is in my opinion the best. Also, miles better than Kennedy's earlier recording with Vernon Handley. Dramatic, virtuosic and nicely structured. It's worth it for the last few minutes of the first movement alone.

Especially purchased for Nigel Kennedy's Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. It met all expectations, was truly a beautiful, emotional and sensitive piece ..... and the elgar violin concerto was very good too.

This is a lovely recording and I am delighted with it. There was a slight problem but the seller dealt with it satisfactorily and I can recommend both the CD and the seller.