Edward Elgar – The Dream of Gerontius, Sea Pictures – Sarah Connolly, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis (2014) [Qobuz FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Edward Elgar – The Dream of Gerontius, Sea Pictures – Sarah Connolly, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:04:24 minutes | 1,42 GB | Genre: Classical
Official Digital Download – Source: Qobuz | @ Chandos
Recorded: Fairfield Halls, Croydon; 3 – 5 April 2014

Chandos Records is delighted to present this new recording of Elgar’s choral masterpiece The Dream of Gerontius and the enduringly popular song cycle Sea Pictures. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus are conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, a peerless Elgarian who this year was awarded the prestigious Elgar Society Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the composer’s music. In Gerontius the soloists are Stuart Skelton, David Soar, and Sarah Connolly who also sings Sea Pictures. This recording was made in the days leading up to their triumphant live performance of Gerontius in April this year, after which The Guardian praised Skelton as ‘the ideal tenor for the role of Gerontius’, Soar as ‘an implacable, dark-sounding Priest’, and Connolly as ‘a consummately polished Angel’.

The Dream of Gerontius was commissioned in 1900 for that year’s Birmingham Festival. The score was produced in a hurry but Elgar had long before known the text which the work sets, Cardinal Newman’s religious poem that powerfully recounts the final dream of a dying believer and the journey of his soul through death to Purgatory. At the disastrous premiere the performers struggled with Elgar’s score but this did nothing to stop the immediate popularity of the work. It is recognised today by many as the greatest choral work by an English composer.

Written not long before Gerontius, the song cycle Sea Pictures sets a collection of poetry by different authors, all on a single, loosely related theme. Inspired by Elgar’s love of nature, the songs explore the emotional resonances of the sea, from serene still waters to a mighty ocean storm.

Tracklist:

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Sea Pictures, Op. 37 (1897 – 99)
Song Cycle for Contralto and Orchestra
1 1 Sea-Slumber- Song. Andantino – Tranquillo – Tempo I – Tranquillo – 4:43
2 2 In Haven (Capri). Allegretto 1:37
3 3 Sabbath Morning at Sea. Moderato – Più mosso – Più mosso – Tempo I – Molto maestoso – 5:31
4 4 Where Corals Lie. Allegretto ma non troppo 3:37
5 5 The Swimmer. Allegro di molto – Largamente – Poco meno mosso – Tempo I – Largamente 6:00
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 (1900)*
by Cardinal Newman
set to Music for Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, and Bass Soli, Chorus and Orchestra

Part I
6 Prelude. Lento, mistico – 9:07
7 Gerontius: ‘Jesu, Maria – I am near to death’ – 3:42
8 Assistants: ‘Kyrie eleïson’ – 2:11
9 Gerontius: ‘Rouse thee, my fainting soul, and play the man’ – 0:51
10 Assistants: ‘Be merciful, be gracious’ spare him, Lord’ – 2:48
11 Gerontius: ‘Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus’ – 5:43
12 Gerontius: ‘I can no more; for now it comes again’ – 2:06
13 Assistants: ‘Rescue him, O Lord, in this his evil hour’ – 2:06
14 Gerontius: ‘Novissima hora est; and I fain would sleep’ – 1:21
15 The Priest: ‘Proficiscere, anima Christiana, 1:54
16 Assistants: ‘Go, in the name of Angels and Archangels’ de hoc mundo!’ – 4:38

Part II
17 Introduction. Soul of Gerontius: ‘I went to sleep; and now I am refresh’d’ – 6:15
18 Angel: ‘My work is done’ – 2:20
19 Soul of Gerontius: ‘It is a member of that family’ – 1:42
20 Soul of Gerontius: ‘I ever had believed’ – 4:06
21 Soul of Gerontius: ‘But hard! upon my sense comes a fierce hubbub’ – 0:49
22 Demons: ‘Low-born clods of brute earth’ – 2:20
23 Demons: ‘The mind bold and independent’ – 2:23
24 Soul of Gerontius: ‘I see not those false spirits’ – 3:10
25 Choir of Angelicals: ‘Praise to the Holiest in the height’ – 2:59
26 Choir of Angelicals: ‘Glory to Him, who evermore by truth and justice reigns’ – 1:18
27 Soul of Gerontius: ‘But hark! a grand, mysterious harmony’ – 1:17
28 Choir of Angelicals: ‘Praise to the Holiest in the height’ – 6:49
29 Angel: ‘Thy judgment now is near’ – 3:05
30 Angel of the Agony: ‘Jesu! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee’ – 3:53
31 Soul of Gerontius: ‘I go before my Judge’ – 1:30
32 Angel: ‘…Praise to His Name!’ – 1:30
33 Soul of Gerontius: ‘Take me away, and in the lowest deep there let me be’ – 3:20
34 Souls in Purgatory: ‘Lord, Thou hast been our refuge: in every generation’ – 1:03
35 Angel: ‘Softly and gently, dearly-ransom’d soul’ 6:34
36 Prelude, concert version 9:23

Personnel:
Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano
Stuart Skelton tenor*
David Soar bass*
BBC Symphony Chorus*
Stephen Jackson chorus master
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Bryant leader
Sir Andrew Davis conductor

Download:

ElgarTheDreamfGerntiusSeaPicturesSarahCnnllyBBCSymphnyAndrewDavis20149624.part1.rar
ElgarTheDreamfGerntiusSeaPicturesSarahCnnllyBBCSymphnyAndrewDavis20149624.part2.rar