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Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius - The Music Makers / Gedda, Watts, Lloyd, Baker; Boult

Edward Elgar, Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius - The Music Makers / Gedda, Watts, Lloyd, Baker; Boult
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (21) - Disc #1
1. The Music Makers: (Moderato e nobilmente)
2. The Music Makers: We Are The Music Makers
3. The Music Makers: With Wonderful Deathless Ditties
4. The Music Makers: We, In The Ages Lying
5. The Music Makers: A Breath Of Our Inspiration
6. The Music Makers: They Had No Vision Amazing
7. The Music Makers: And Therefore To-day Is Thrilling
8. The Music Makers: But We, With Our Dreaming And Singing
9. The Music Makers: For We Are Afar With The Dawning
10. The Music Makers: Great Hail! We Cry To The Comers
11. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Prelude (Lento, mistico--Moderato--Andantino--Come prima)
12. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Jesu, Maria - I Am Near To Death
13. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Kyrie eleison...Holy Mary, Pray For Him
14. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Rouse Thee, My Fainting Soul
15. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Be Merciful, Be Gracious
16. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Sanctis fortis, Sanctus Deus
17. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: I Can No More
18. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Rescue Him, O Lord
19. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Novissima hora est
20. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Proficiscere, anima Christiana
21. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part I: Go In The Name Of Angels
Track Listings (21) - Disc #2
1. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: (Andantino) - I went To Sleep
2. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: My Work Is Done
3. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: All Hail! My Child
4. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Low-Born Clods Of Brute Earth
5. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: It Is The Restless Panting Of Their Being
6. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: The Mind Bold And Independent
7. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: I See Not Those False Spirits
8. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Praise To The Holiest
9. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: The Sound Is Like The Rushing Of The Wind
10. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Glory To Him
11. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: They Sing Of Thy Approaching Agony
12. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: But Hark! A Grand Mysterious Harmony
13. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: And Now The Threshold
14. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Praise To The Holiest
15. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Thy Judgment Now Is Near
16. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Jesu! By That Shuddering Dread
17. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Be Merciful, Be Gracious
18. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Praise To His Name!
19. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Take Me Away
20. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge
21. The Dream Of Gerontius, Op. 38: Part II: Softly And Gently

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CD Details

All Artists: Edward Elgar, Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult, Nicolai Gedda, Dame Janet Baker, Helen Watts, Robert Lloyd, John Alldis Choir
Title: Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius - The Music Makers / Gedda, Watts, Lloyd, Baker; Boult
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: EMI Classics
Original Release Date: 1/1/1975
Re-Release Date: 1/12/1999
Album Type: Original recording reissued
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 724356654020

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording

Elgar's Dream of Gerontius is, in effect, a sung tone poem and resides at the core of English choral music; it is the supreme achievement among Elgar's large-scale works. Interestingly, its premiere came in the last months of the 19th century, a time, much like our own, when fluctuating styles and experimentation existed alongside a lingering and powerful devotion to the older, traditional ways. Thus, the release of this classic 1975 recording (intelligently paired with another sumptuous, musically significant choral work, The Music Makers) is not only timely but serves to remind us of how successfully Elgar bridged both Romanticism's dwindling currents and the swelling streams of impressionism and atonality. This performance, featuring the 86-year-old Adrian Boult in total, rock-steady command, shows what magic can happen when conductor and performers are in complete sync, musically and philosophically. The melodies are abundant and beautiful, the choral writing is magnificent, and the sound, especially in Gerontius, is full and vibrant. --David Vernier

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CD Reviews

Glorious gerontius

Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane | Fife, Scotland | 03/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI recorded Gerontius under Boult very near the end of the conductor's active career. He had known Elgar (they first met around 1903) and was very highly thought of by the composer, who is on record as believing that the future of his music was safe in Boult's hands. Gerontius is a wonderful piece, and this is the magical, historic performance that everyone hoped it would be. Boult's great gift was in seeing a work whole, the entire architecture, and that is exactly what happens here, but in addition there are thrilling moments - the hair-raising demons' chorus, the tremendous 'Praise to the Holiest' and the shattering crash when Gerontius sees the face of God - and the most beautiful lyrical phrasing in the gentler orchestral bits. The choice of Nicolai Gedda as Gerontius was inspired, and his beautiful ringing tenor is just right ; Helen Watts is idiomatic and reliable (though not as exciting as Janet Baker in the Barbirolli version) and Robert Lloyd is first-rate. This is probably the best 'Gerontius' on disc. It is uniquely authoritative, works excellently in the details and as a whole, and is unwaveringly beautiful to listen to. 'The Music Makers', a lesser work (which DOES, however, have the unrivalled Janet Baker), is enjoyable and idiomatic too, and useful bonus, but 'Gerontius' is what this set is all about."

Boult's Gerontius

KH | Chicago, IL | 04/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alongside Sir John Barbirolli's recording of this music, this is the greatest Gerontius yet committed to disk. I would not want to be without either performance, and each is equally great in its own way.Where Barbirolli stresses a dramatic, almost operatic approach to the work, Boult opts for a grand, majestic, oratorio style, without degenerating into pomposity or stuffiness. There is a tremendous grandeur, and a monumental feel, to the entire performance. Gedda seems like an odd choice for Gerontius, but his English is free of any accent, and he brings all the commitment and fervor we came to expect from him. Watts is not the equal of Barbirolli's mezzo, Janet Baker, but she sings in many ways beyond her stature, sounding truly great at times. Lloyd is my favorite singer for the role of the Priest/Angel. Choral work is highly polished, and in the Demons chorus Boult really lets them open up. Recorded sound is first rate.The Music Makers is a lesser work, but well worth hearing. The sound is a bit dated (earlier than Gerontius), and the chorus not quite as polished. But Baker is outstanding (as always) and there are few recordings of this piece.Indispensible for any Elgarian."

Janet Baker at her Best!

Neil A. Dellar | McLean, VA USA | 10/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having already acquired a number of recordings of the Dream, I wanted this recording because of The Music Makers. This is truly a wonderful elegaic work. Barbirolli told Janet Baker to "sing it as though you're dreaming." She does, and the effect is very moving.The Gerontius under Boult is very good and Helen Watts is a lovely Angel (even though she doesn't go for the top A). My one small gripe with the recording is Gedda. I much admire him but his English is not accented and this affects my enjoyment. Robert Lloyd makes a great Priest and Angel of the Agony."