A radiant Elgar's Violin Concerto

Tasmin Little accompanied by the RSNO under Andrew Davis delivers a passionate, engaging performance of Elgar's Violin Concerto

Composer: Elgar
Repertoire: Violin Concerto; The Crown of India (Interlude & Polonia) 
Artists:  Tasmin Little (vln), Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis
Rating: 5/5 
Genre: Orchestral 
Label: Chandos CHSA 5083

The Music Elgar’s Violin Concerto was one of the great triumphs of his career. ‘For a quarter of an hour they recalled the man who had achieved a triumph not only for himself, but also for England,’ ran one report. Elgar’s own opinion was that ‘It’s good! Awfully emotional! Too emotional, but I love it.’ 

The Performances Recorded in celebration of the Violin Concerto’s centenary and including the third movement cadenza with harp played on the first recording (but never published) as a bonus track, Little and Davis steer a near-perfect path between the English stoicism and continental passion that lies at the heart of this glorious score. Positioned naturally against the orchestra, Little shares the concerto’s surging emotional narrative equally with her accompanists, without the slightest hint of virtuoso ostentation. The magical Crown of India Interlude has never sounded finer. 

The Verdict Little tantalises with a winning combination of heartfelt passion and engaging simplicity that radiates beguiling warmth.