Elgar had a genius (that really is the word) for charming, melodically irresistible miniatures…And as an appetiser we have the premiere recording of Air de Ballet, probably Elgar’s first orchestral work…It’s not masterpiece, but the fresh tunefulness is utterly characteristic, and David Lloyd-Jones treats it with the same respect and loving attention as he does everything else on this thoroughly enjoyable disc.

The first recording of Mina was made just over a week before Elgar’s death…Lloyd-Jones’s reading is not only affectionate but considerably less hurried than its shellac predecessor. I’m sure Elgar would have loved it…[in the shorter pieces] the solo violinist, Charles Mutter, nails the style of the day with just the right balance of restraint and expressive eloquence.