There are not many new recordings around to mark the 150th anniversary year of arguably England’s greatest — certainly most loved — composer. Many are reissues, but none the worse for that.

Natalie Clein’s new version of Elgar’s Cello Concerto has been compared with the superb Jacqueline Du Pre’s epic effort made against a background of coughing from the audience. It is, however, far less affecting in its impact, though finely wrought and executed. It’s unlikely to knock the Du Pre off its perch at Classic FM, though.

Here then is a short list of some of the new issues worth buying :

Natalie Clein’s version of the Cello Concerto with the Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Vernon Handley (EMI).

EMI’s magnificent The Collector’s Edition (30 CDs for under 40 quid [$80] ) mainly containing the Sir John Barbirolli versions, but not exclusively. Bargain

Nigel Kennedy plays the Violin Concerto in two brilliant versions. The first is from 1984 with Tom Handley and is issued on EMI’s Great Recordings of the Century. Kennedy has always loved a soupy tune, so is particularly attuned to Elgar’s music. The second is the much-treasured version with Simon Rattle and the CBSO in 1997 on the EMI bargain label.

There’s also the dazzling playing of Itzhak Perlman in the Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony from 1981. Conducted by Daniel Barenboim, it’s generally regarded as slighter than the Kennedy versions. (DG Original).

There are more, but these are probably the pick, with The Collector’s Edition taking pride of place as the Christmas gift of the century.