Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius from King's College Cambridge 30.03.18 - 7.30 p.m.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Live from King's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra, Philharmonia Chorus and soloists in Elgar's masterpiece, The Dream of Gerontius, as part of the Easter at King's Festival. First performed in Birmingham in 1900 it has remained one of his most popular and enduring works. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Kathryn Rudge (mezzo)
Brenden Gunnell (tenor)
David Stout (baritone)
Philharmonia Chorus
BBC Concert Orchestra, conductor Christopher Robinson.

[Andrew Slater]

This might turn out to be something special. Definitely worth a listen.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Not the kind of repertoire associated with the BBC CO. It's a pity the Choir of KKC won't be available for the semi-chorus (as they were in Britten's recording).

[Nick Armstrong]

Not the kind of repertoire associated with the BBC CO. It's a pity the Choir of KKC won't be available for the semi-chorus (as they were in Britten's recording).

Agreed, and sad to note that (understandably) Stephen Cleobury isn't yet up to directing the concert, as originally billed.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No problems with the orchestra. I'm less happy with the singing of Kathryn Rudge, and the Philharmonia Chorus has too many distracting wobblers. I've long felt that the Angel can make or break a Gerontius performance.

[ardcarp]

Agreed, and sad to note that (understandably) Stephen Cleobury isn't yet up to directing the concert, as originally billed.

Christopher Robinson, however, is a very experienced orchestral conductor indeed, and has a long track-record with Gerontius.

[DracoM]

arcarp: you need to slim down your private messages box!

[ardcarp]

[Pabmusic]

Not the kind of repertoire associated with the BBC CO. It's a pity the Choir of KKC won't be available for the semi-chorus (as they were in Britten's recording).

I agree. But the Concert Orchestra famously did RVW 6 at a Prom with Handley.

[BBMmk2]

Worth a listen? I was having misgivings about this concert.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I was very disappointed (Angel and chorus). I recorded it, but I'm tempted to wipe it.

[Andrew Slater]

Just goes to show how wrong I can be!

[ardcarp]

For family reasons (noise and bustle!) I couldn't really concentrate fully, but what I heard of Brenden Gunnell's Gerontius was pretty good. It's a taxing role, both physically and emotionally.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Here's one I 'made' earlier for a friend who's going big on the work at present, with necessary editing:

"[Mrs LMP] and I listened to DoG. Very decent but far from great in our opinion. All soloists made nice noises but Angel had too little projection: she was singing the notes right but never sounded like she was singing them to anyone, not to Gerontius nor to the audience. So no excitement, but Dame JB does rather spoil one...

Bass pretty decent but not a difficult part dramatically compared to the other two. Best was the tenor we thought, we'd definitely cross the street to hear him again. Hadn't heard of any of them previously - think the bass was a late sub, different name in Radio Times. Choir, orch and conductor all very good."

[Once Was 4]

Here's one I 'made' earlier for a friend who's going big on the work at present, with necessary editing:

"[Mrs LMP] and I listened to DoG. Very decent but far from great in our opinion. All soloists made nice noises but Angel had too little projection: she was singing the notes right but never sounded like she was singing them to anyone, not to Gerontius nor to the audience. So no excitement, but Dame JB does rather spoil one...

Bass pretty decent but not a difficult part dramatically compared to the other two. Best was the tenor we thought, we'd definitely cross the street to hear him again. Hadn't heard of any of them previously - think the bass was a late sub, different name in Radio Times. Choir, orch and conductor all very good."

Now was it me? Is my 70-year-old hearing letting me down? Is my radio duff? Or was there a very strange balance to the sound? The great climactic choruses were, well, not climactic; indeed the supposedly hushed opening had far more impact than Praise to the Holiest.Nothing scary about the demons. Or am I just too used to be in the middle of this wonderful work having played it many times.

Certainly it showed what a fine versatile ensemble the BBC Concert Orchestra is.

This morning I played second horn in sections of the Mozart Coronation Mass as part of an Easter Day service. Could a genuine atheist have written either of these life (and death!) affirming works - and others like them. Discuss.