Edward Gardner - Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius (CD)

One of Elgar's greatest works, The Dream of Gerontius is his setting of Cardinal Newman's poem about a dying man's journey from his deathbed to his judgment before God and his placement in Purgatory. The work is not a traditional oratorio; instead, it is a hauntingly beautiful and transformative journey of the soul. Elgar himself said of it, "I've written it out of my insidest inside." This BBC recording was captured live at the Royal Albert Hall during the 2022 BBC Proms season. Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, with the Hallé Choir, in what was described by The Guardian as a "perfectly judged performance." The recording features a cast of three world-class soloists - Allan Clayton, Jamie Barton, and James Platt - celebrated for their individual excellence and compelling interpretation of their roles.