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"... by far the very finest played on disc. Buy with confidence. And delight." - Audiophilia "... a veritable showpiece of technical virtuosity on the orchestra's part ... this is a showstopper recording ... Barenboim proves himself a true, career-long Elgarian ..." - Limelight "... superb, unequivocally great ... it's difficult to know where to start in listing its excellences ... a marvellously full-blooded reading, full of drama and passion and rich-hued colour ... this must be one of the finest performances currently on offer ..." - BBC Music Magazine Daniel Barenboim first recorded Edward Elgar's symphonies in the early 1970s. In 2013 he revisited Symphony No. 2 based on his 40 years of experience which resulted in this rousing performance with the Staatskapelle Berlin. Upon release, several critics called this album the finest recording of the symphony available. Symphony No. 2, a full-bodied Romantic journey for the orchestra, was described by the composer as "the passionate pilgrimage of the soul." It opens with what is known as the Spirit of Delight theme which reappears several times, from the poignant first movement through a slow-moving funeral march and a playful dance before concluding with an emotional finale of great warmth.