The music is so full of hope that just continually builds. It seems to contain the best of us as a species. Beautifully conducted and orchestrated. I have a substantial library of classical music recordings, and this is one I go to when I need my spirits lifted. Highly recommend.
I bought this for Boult's recording of the first symphony, which I regarded as the best I had heard, and was stunned to find the account of the second symphony was even better. I would put it on a par with Colin Davis' outstanding and deeply moving performance of it at the Proms in 2006. If you love Elgar's music and symphonies of the romantic period, as I do, you can't do any better than to acquire this supreme coupling.