Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius / McCreesh, Gabrieli Consort

$16.49
Label
Signum Classics
Release Date
April 26, 2024
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      Edward Elgar
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Polish National Youth Choir
    • PERFORMER
      Nicky Spence, Andrew Foster-Williams, Anna Stephany, Gabrieli
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 26, 2024
    • UPC
      635212078525
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      SIGCD785
    • LABEL
      Signum Classics
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic
    Works ⌄

    1. Part I: Prelude

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    2. Part I: Jesu, Maria. I am near to death (Gerontius, Chorus)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    3. Part I: Rouse thee, my fainting soul (Gerontius, Chorus)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    4. Part I: Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus (Gerontius)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    5. Part I: Rescue him, O Lord (Chorus, Gerontius)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    6. Part I: Profiscere, anima Christiana (Priest, Chorus)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Andrew Foster-Williams

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    7. Part II: I went to sleep (Soul of Gerontius, Angel)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence, Anna Stéphany

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    8. Part II: But hark! A grand mysterious harmony (Soul of Gerontius, Angel, Chorus)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence, Anna Stéphany

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    9. Part II: I see not those false spirits (Soul of Gerontius, Angel)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence, Anna Stéphany

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    10. Part II: Praise to the Holiest in the height (Chorus, Angel, Soul of Gerontius)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Anna Stéphany, Nicky Spence

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    11. Part II: Thy judgement now is near (Angel, Soul of Gerontius)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Anna Stéphany, Nicky Spence

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    12. Part II: Jesu! By that shuddering dread (Angel of the Agony)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Andrew Foster-Williams

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    13. Part II: I go before my Judge (Soul of Gerontius, Chorus, Angel)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Nicky Spence, Anna Stéphany

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh

    14. Part II: Lord, Thou hast been our refuge (Chorus, Angel)

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Roar, Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli Players

      Performer: Anna Stéphany

      Conductor: Paul McCreesh


The Dream of Gerontius by Edward Elgar is a two-part work for voices and orchestra composed in 1900 to text by John Henry Newman. Widely regarded as Elgar's finest choral work, and by some his masterpiece, Gabrieli’s first-class performance, and McCreesh’s superb interpretation demonstrate why their recordings are seen as some of the best in classical music today.

REVIEW:

This strong performance is apparently the first to use historically appropriate instruments. The trombone, just to give the listener an idea, was owned by Elgar. Tenor Nicky Spence, in the lead role, offers a rich, serious performance. McCreesh’s interpretation focuses on the chorus, placing the work in the grand English oratorio tradition.

— AllMusic.com (James Manheim)