The Dream of Gerontius

£12.00£21.00

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.

WINNER – BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE CHORAL ALBUM

WINNER – GRAMOPHONE CHORAL ALBUM

WINNER – PRESTO CLASSICAL ALBUM

WINNER – LIMELIGHT CHORAL ALBUM

“Paul McCreesh has clearly succeeded in making a reference recording of The Dream of Gerontius” – Pizzicato

“The orchestration is astonishing…colours every nuance of the orchestral recitative, and the brilliance of the ensemble at full strength. An exceptional new recording” – OPERNGLAS

★★★★★ Performance, ★★★★1/2 Recording “McCreesh’s recording remains/dramatic and full of tension…Nicky Spence is a tenor with a ravinshingly beautiful voice, he sings Gerontius with a very peculiar mixture of power and vulnerability…McCreesh’s Gabrieli ensembles are a miracle of mobility and sound intelligence” – FONO FORUM

 ★★★★★“The period instruments intensify the emotion and textural variety in Elgar’s writing here, and Spence, Stéphany and Foster-Williams are superb in the solo roles. McCreesh steers the ship with unerring focus. Above all the choirs guide the disc to greatness.” – The Sunday Times

★★★★★ “The whole [album] is a remarkable achievement and provides an important document in our appreciation of Elgar’s masterpiece. But more than that, it’s a thrilling performance that should grab the attention of anyone who loves Gerontius.” – Choir and Organ

SKU: SIGCD785

Nicky Spence, Tenor

Andrew Foster-Williams, Bass-Baritone

Anna Stéphany, Mezzo-soprano

Gabrieli Consort and Players, Gabrieli ROAR Choir and Orchestra

Polish National Youth Choir, choir

Paul McCreesh, Conductor


Release date: 26/04/24

Catalogue number: SIGCD785

Barcode: 635212078525

“But it is McCreesh who is the real wonder, steering the whole with a sense of Wagnerian scale and a complete knowledge of the score’s shifting colours, and indeed of the chorus’ shifting aspects, from bliss to demonic energy. The ending is full of soul-uplifting beauty, the angelic sopranos perfectly controlled” – Classical Explorer

CD #1

[01] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt I: Prelude
[02] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt I: Jesu, Maria – I am near to death
[03] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt I: Rouse thee, my fainting soul
[04] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt I: Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus
[05] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt I: Rescue him, O Lord
[06] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt I: Proficiscere, anima Christiana

CD #2

[01] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: I went to sleep
[02] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: But hark! upon my sense
[03] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: I see not those false spirits
[04] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: Praise to the Holiest in the height
[05] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: Thy judgment now is near
[06] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: Jesu! by that shuddering dread
[07] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: I go before my Judge
[08] The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38. Pt II: Lord, Thou hast been our refuge

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