The Vienna Philharmonic under John Eliot Gardiner brings a sense of freshness of discovery to Elgar's noble music. This is partially because this is hardly regular repertoire for the orchestra, and also as Gardiner approaches the scores with a clear individuality of interpretation. Bringing these four works together makes for a satisfying 70 minutes of listening. In the South brings with it moments of almost unbearable delicacy and tenderness which nevertheless do not sound sentimental. A refreshing ardour and dark dramaticism also mark out this reading. Gardiner captures the individual sound worlds of the Introduction and Allegro and Sospiri to perfection. The tender nostalgia of the former and the warmth of the latter lead to an account of the Enigma Variations distinguished by real attention to detail (emphasised by DG's clear and well-balanced recording). Gardiner refuses to milk the music for all it is worth as some interpreters do, preferring to let it speak smoothly and naturally: because of that the performance emerges as all the more emotionally charged. The Vienna players seem to revel in Elgar's frequently beautiful scoring. This Enigma Variations is worthy to sit alongside the finest in the catalogue. Indeed, this disc is a triumph. --Colin Clarke