It was Violet Pearn (1890-1947) who decided to stage Algernon Blackwood’s (1869-1951) children’s book A Prisoner in Fairyland (1913), and it hit the West End as The Starlight Express. The production, containing songs by Charles Carey (1883-1968), was thwarted by the outbreak of war. Undeterred, Pearn tried again, this time approaching Elgar, who contributed 80 minutes’ worth of music that draws heavily on his two 1907 suites The Wand of Youth. The play itself ran between December 1915 and February 1916 but was panned by the critics for its whimsical nature. However, Elgar’s touching music won plaudits – and rightly so, for it has some delightful things in it, not least an all-pervading sense of nostalgia and innocent wonder so characteristic of the composer, as well as a handful of indelible vocal numbers.

Given that the majority of Elgar’s score was meant to be heard in conjunction with dialogue, Sir Andrew Davis has taken the opportunity to write his own narration based upon both Pearn’s play and (in the final scene) Blackwood’s novel. Simon Callow makes a consistently involving story-teller, and his spoken contribution has been judiciously balanced by the production team. For those wishing to hear Elgar’s thoughts in a purely musical context, Davis has also fashioned a 45-minute suite for soprano, baritone and orchestra containing all the key material. Last but by no means least, Sir Andrew has even managed to track down (and orchestrate) the three original songs that Carey had completed prior to Elgar’s involvement. Charming they are, too, if lacking in true melodic distinction.

Davis secures absolutely first-rate results from the Scottish CO. Elin Manahan Thomas’s light and silvery soprano could hardly be more suited to the parts of the Laugher and Jane-Anne, while Roderick Williams is in glorious voice throughout. Everything has been captured by the microphones with ingratiating amplitude, bloom and glow.