This important historical release contains a mouth-watering selection of classic English symphonic repertoire, with many recordings receiving their CD debuts. These 1956 Nixa - Westminster recordings have been remastered at Abbey Road studios from original tapes held in the EMI and Universal archives. The sound quality is quite astonishing, especially considering they were made over fifty years ago. Sir Adrian Boult is featured, conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra in his signature repertoire on recordings that are already considered to be classics. Boult’s interpretation of Elgar's Symphony No. 2, for example, is arguably second to none, as is his powerful performance of Walton’s first symphony. Boult rarely recorded Britten, so it is of significance that this set includes his complete recordings of the composer’s works (Boult’s own narration of the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is beautifully enunciated). Also included are the two rarely-recorded Britten orchestrations of music by Rossini, joyfully performed and providing light, foot-tapping contrast.