Gramophone Good CD Guide 1999
Sullivan Cello Concerto
Sullivan Cello Concerto in D major (reconstr. Mackerras and Mackie). Symphony in E major, “Irish”. Overture di ballo.
Elgar Romance, Op. 62 (arr. vc).
Julian Lloyd Webber (vc); London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Charles Groves.
EMI British Composers CDM7 64726-2 (71 minutes: ADD/DDD: 4/94). Items marked from CDC7 47622-2 (2/87), recorded 1986; HMV ASD2435 (2/69), recorded 1968.
Sir Charles Groves’s sturdy yet affectionate reading of Arthur Sullivan’s wholly charming Irish Symphony was always one of the best of his EMI offerings with the RLPO and the 1968 recording remains vivid. In the sparkling Overture di hallo, again, Groves conducts with plenty of character. There are also first-rate performances of Sullivan’s undemanding Cello Concerto from 1866 (in a fine reconstruction by Sir Charles Mackerras – the manuscript was destroyed in Chappell’s fire of 1964) as well as Elgar’s wistful little Romance (originally for bassoon). This is a thoroughly attractive mid-price reissue.
