Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius (Halle/Elder)

The Dream of Gerontius by Sir Edward Elgar
Live from the BBC Proms, 24th July 2005.
Halle Orchestra conducted by Mark Elder
Allice Coote (Mezzo-soprano)
Paul Groves (Tenor)
Matthew Best (Bass)
Halle Choir
London Philharmonic Choir
Halle Youth Choir

[joesoy]

Aged 18, I sang the bass line in the Royal Choral Society in the Royal Albert Hall under Sir Malcolm Sargent. Eight years later, having studied at the Royal Academy of Music for four years, I sang the bass solos professionally.

[monks]

Elgar is my favorite composer. I went to his gravesite and laid a flower on his stone in gratitude for all the joy his music has given me for the last 45 years. Softly and gently is one of the most sublimely consoling pieces I have ever heard. I attended a live performance of Gerontius only 2 weeks after my mom passed and I wasn’t sure I would be able get through it without dissolving. But the Angel’s Farewell was so comforting that there are no words to describe the depth of emotion and compassion in Elgar’s music. And The Kingdom and The Apostles likewise are brilliant works. The thrilling conclusion of The Apostles is nothing less than breathtaking. What I so admire about Elgar’s religious works is the depth of conviction that stems from a deeply felt spirituality; there is nothing saccharine about his music. I will never forget the collective gasp from the capacity audience at the conclusion when I heard The Dream at the New York Philharmonic in 2001. By the way, as a New York Jew I am proof that great religious music transcends everything and brings us closer to God regardless of our religious persuasion. RIP Sir Edward, and thank you.

[BritinIsrael]

The last time i heard this wonderful work was in 1970 in Manchester . It was the memorial concert for John Barbirolli who had died in the summer of that year. It was in the old Free Trade Hall( which is now a hotel 😪) Janet Baker was the female soloist and she broke down in tears towards the end. I dont think there was a dry eye in the house that night.

[nikkivenable]

Elgar himself wrote on the final page of this manuscript, “This is the best of me.”

[sallyandgeoffwalker]

It will be performd in Wells Cathedral 23/3/2024. Tickets available online.
Make.a weekend of it and visit this charming city!

[lucyj]

1:24:30 onwards is some of the most moving music I've ever heard. It's absolutely electric to be part of and soothes the soul.

I sang Gerontius with Schola Cantorum of Oxford with Oxford Philomusica at the Sheldonian in 2003, under James Burton who was also Mark Elder's deputy at the Halle at the time - I then followed him there but was not part of this concert.

"Come back, O Lord, how long!"

[danielmasonmusic]

I am not religious but I find great comfort in the great religious masterpieces of music. I've only recently started diving into Elgar's music but I can without a shadow of a doubt consider this one of the most overwhelmingly beautiful and moving things I have ever heard. I wish I could shake his hand and thank him for his wonderful music.

[christopherpalmer]

What a performance! And the soloists are wonderful - they act their roles, as well as singing beautifully. I bet Elgar was looking down, smiling upon this performance. It doesn't get better than this

[unclechrisfonkeng]

Praise to the Holiest is my favorite hymn of all time. The poetry, melody and harmony are just out of this world.

[barrymorentz]

One of the most deeply felt, truly spiritual pieces ever composed. The Angel’s Farewell never fails to get to me…Elgar at his most sublime

[kensalsman]

Sang this over 35 years ago and still remember much of the bass lines...those several pivotal moments still impact me...”take me away”, “softly and gently”, and “come back oh Lord” in particular.

[helenfrancomb]

Have grown to love this wonderful work over fifty years plus of choral singing.I first heard it performed at the 3 Choirs festival in Worcester Cathedral many years ago, have heard several performances since, and this Proms one is one of the best.I have also sung in the chorus in 2 performances over the years. It is being performed in Bristol Cathedral on Sat. 18th May 2024 by Bristol Classical Players, conductor Tom Gauterin, with Bristol Cabot Choir, Bristol Phoenix Choir, The Fitzhardinge Consort and professional soloists. This recording has been a useful rehearsal aid for preparing to sing in the chorus once more .

[kookamunga]

It's beautiful and I been listening to this at night just before sleep. Edgar's masterpiece works its way into my dreaming. It's beyond words .

[carolynhall]

What a wonderful performance of this sublime piece!

[patrickvalentino]

On his deathbed, Strauss supposedly said, with not a little bit of self-promotion, "death is exactly as I scored it (in Tod und Verklärung)"...I pray, and suspect, it would be more like The Dream of Gerontius. This work reaches the artistic beauty and undeniable reality of Bach. Undoubtedly Elgar 's masterpiece and a treasure of both concert and sacred art.

[DazeofWonder]

As an old man (75) who has survived near death experience in the first responder's "triangle of death" shortly after my latelife confirmation to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism, I identify profoundly with this great work of Elgar. It's never too late to come home to Rome and reveal Jesus by your witness and life. Bless to excess.

[sedgieroobets]

Matthew Best, perhaps the most underrated singer in history. Magnificent sound, beautiful management of the voice. Always so musical. Magnificent. The UK's George London.

[jgesselberty]

26:55 is mystical and magical to the extreme.

[Tamwudang]

Une œuvre grandiose de ce compositeur trop peu mis en avant. Et une interprétation magistrale! Du soliste, chœur à l'orchestre, tout est d'une musicalité profonde qui emporte l'âme ❤

[keithbryan]

Ab outstanding performance of a sadly neglected masterpiece.