The outbreak of the Great War caused Elgar much anguish and depression and the music composed during these years reflects his sorrow and deep patriotism.

Apart from Elgar’s early Sursum Corda Op.11 (composed in 1894), this disc takes us on a musical journey from shortly before the war began to the composer’s last wartime orchestral work, The Sanguine Fan, a shaft of light during the darkest days of the war in 1917. Although not premiere recordings (they were originally recorded by the HMV label), this is the first modern recording of the works on this disc, and the first recording to provide a unique survey of Elgar’s compositions of this time.

Performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by John Wilson, this CD also includes Susan Gritton and the renowned actor Simon Callow who is the speaker on Le Drapeau Belge Op.79.