Caractacus, written in 1898, was Elgar’s last big work before the one that made him famous, the Enigma Variations, so it’s no surprise that it contains superb music. He was already over 40, and well ...

And before you start jeering and bringing up the problems on Britain’s streets, let me tell you that the choruses in this work are as brilliant as any in the language, and quite thrilling enough to ...