Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
Nicky Spence (Gerontius), Anna Stéphany (The Angel), Andrew Foster-Williams (The Priest/Angel of the Agony), Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli, Paul McCreesh
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, May 2024, Editor's Choice
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Presto Recording of the Week, 26th April 2024
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BBC Music Magazine, July 2024, Recording of the Month
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Gramophone Awards, 2024 Winners, Choral
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Winners 2024
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International Classical Music Awards, 2025, Nominated - Choral
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2025, Winner - Choral
This is unquestionably a great recording of Gerontius, one that every Elgarian should have, and ranks high among the many important projects Gabrieli has so far undertaken in its four decades...
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
Nicky Spence (Gerontius), Anna Stéphany (The Angel), Andrew Foster-Williams (The Priest/Angel of the Agony), Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli, Paul McCreesh
Purchase product
Awards:
-
Gramophone Magazine, May 2024, Editor's Choice
-
Presto Recording of the Week, 26th April 2024
-
BBC Music Magazine, July 2024, Recording of the Month
-
Gramophone Awards, 2024 Winners, Choral
-
Presto Recordings of the Year, Winners 2024
-
International Classical Music Awards, 2025, Nominated - Choral
-
BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2025, Winner - Choral
This is unquestionably a great recording of Gerontius, one that every Elgarian should have, and ranks high among the many important projects Gabrieli has so far undertaken in its four decades...
About
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.
Contents and tracklist
- Nicky Spence (tenor), Andrew Foster-Williams (bass-baritone)
- Gabrieli, Polish National Youth Choir
- Paul McCreesh
- Nicky Spence (tenor), Anna Stéphany (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Foster-Williams (bass-baritone)
- Gabrieli, Polish National Youth Choir
- Paul McCreesh
Spotlight on this release
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Paul McCreesh on Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius
Following the release of his latest project with Gabrieli, the conductor talks about the differences that period instruments bring to the music, the extensive work he carries out in rehearsal with singers, and the importance of the Gabrieli Roar scheme in involving young people in classical music.
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Paul McCreesh conducts Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius
Using instruments from around the time of the work's premiere in 1900, Paul McCreesh and Gabrieli offer an illuminating recording that not only provides great textual clarity but also shows off the fine details of Elgar's orchestration.
Awards and reviews
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Gramophone MagazineMay 2024Editor's Choice
-
Presto Recording of the Week26th April 2024
-
BBC Music MagazineJuly 2024Recording of the Month
-
Presto Recordings of the YearWinners 2024
-
International Classical Music Awards2025Nominated - Choral
July 2024
This is unquestionably a great recording of Gerontius, one that every Elgarian should have, and ranks high among the many important projects Gabrieli has so far undertaken in its four decades of existence.
May 2024
Even if you are a dyed-in-the-wool Elgarian with special loyalties to a particular interpretation, this CD is brimful of edifying delights and surprises worthy of repeated listening.
26th April 2024
The subtleties of Elgar's orchestration are realised to great effect. Similarly, the brass are capable of being loud without obliterating the rest of the orchestra...Vocally, the star of the show is undoubtedly Nicky Spence, who from the very opening provides a performance that is magnificently nuanced in tone and deeply impressive in his delivery of text.
5th May 2024
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.
19th April 2024
There are immediate gains in warmth and clarity from the gut strings, while the textural transparency allows the softer toned woodwind to be heard more easily, without losing any of the power that’s needed for the work’s great climaxes.
