The 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’ birth has brought a heartening re-assessment of his music and his belated recognition as the most important English composer between Purcell and Britten. Of all the tributes on disc, few come with as persuasive a claim to attention as this complete symphony cycle by the Hallé Orchestra, with whom the composer had a long and fruitful relationship.

Completists will want to know that this specially-priced five-disc set comes without the ‘fillers’ – the Oboe Concerto, Tallis Fantasia, The Lark Ascending et al. – that accompanied the original single-volume releases. At the helm is Mark Elder, who brings interrogative intelligence to bear on a body of work that drew from (besides much else) but also re-defined the English symphonic tradition.

The adrenalised concentration of a live recording greatly benefits A Sea Symphony, paced with tidal surety and magisterial control by Elder who balances intimacy and drama to gripping effect. He’s abetted by expressive soloists Roderick Williams and Katherine Broderick and the Hallé Chorus, who play their own distinctive part in the set’s success.

Also live, Elder’s painterly dynamic contrasts, telling way with detail and Barbirolli-like tempi...