Romanian-born Constantin Silvestri had a distinguished career not only in his own country but abroad. He made his UK debut in 1957 and assumed the post of Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in 1962. He immediately raised the standards of the orchestra and brought it international fame with recordings and broadcasts .

The orchestra's home was the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, and it was there in 1967 that Silvestri conducted Elgar's "Enigma Variations" for a BBC radio broadcast. The most famous Variation is "Nimrod" - its tempo marking is 'Adagio' - and it is frequently played at state and solemn occasions. It is extracted here because at 2-and-a-half minutes it is quite possibly the fastest recorded performance the piece has ever received! (BBC Legends CD).