EDWARD ELGAR (1857-1934): The Starlight Express, Op. 78, Suite from The Starlight Express (arr. Andrew Davis), CLIVE CAREY (1883-1968): 3 Songs from The Starlight Express (orch. Andrew Davis).

Description: This is the First Recording of the complete incidental music and songs for the 1915 play based on Algernon Blackwood's children's book "A Prisoner in Fairyland". Since much of the music was composed as melodrama and can't be appreciated without knowing what was going on "underneath" it, conductor Davis has written a narration for this recording (a more streamlined option, obviously, than a recording of the actual play!). Previous recordings of Express's music have been suites, some more extended than others; here we have fully 87 minutes of music. One bonus is the three songs written for the play by Clive Carey (later a highly regarded singing teacher) in 1914 before the beginning of the war put paid to the mounting of the play; when the idea was revived, Elgar came into the picture. There is also a 45-minute suite of music from the play arranged by the Davis. 2 CDs. Texts included. Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano), Roderick Williams (baritone), Simon Callow (narrator), Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Andrew Davis. SACD hybrid