Six of the best recordings of Elgar’s Cello Concerto
We name the very best performances of Elgar's Cello Concerto

Published:
Beatrice Harrison, New Symphony Orchestra/Edward Elgar (1928) Naxos 8.111260
The concerto’s first complete recording, under the baton of Elgar himself.
Pablo Casals, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Adrian Boult (1945) Warner Classics 7777634985
Casals’s approach is heavily romantic – too much so for some listeners at the time.
Paul Tortelier, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Malcolm Sargent (1953) Testament SBT2025
Nuanced and refined – one of three recordings of the work made by the French cellist.
Jacqueline du Pré, LSO/John Barbirolli (1965) Warner Classics 2564607600
A powerfully passionate performance that propelled Du Pré into the limelight.
Julian Lloyd Webber, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Yehudi Menuhin (1985) Philips 416 3542
Julian Lloyd Webber’s own recording of the concerto was deservedly acclaimed for its understated passion.
Alisa Weilerstein Staatskapelle Berlin/ Daniel Barenboim (2013) Decca 478 2735
The exceptional disc that won Weilerstein the BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Year in 2014.