Edward elgars the dream of gerontius digital concert hall. Full text of the dream of gerontius see other formats j c. In 1841 william moved to worcester, where he worked as a piano tuner and set up a shop selling sheet music and musical instruments. I t is hard to explain why the dream of gerontius manages to have such a powerful effect on someone who rejects every particle of the religious impulses that nourish it. It achieved further notoriety when general gordon died at khartoum leaving behind a copy with personal annotations that were then copied by admirers. But at its first performance in birmingham, 105 years ago, the music was.
Full text of the dream of gerontius internet archive. Magdalena kozena mezzosoprano toby spence tenor roderick williams baritone bbc proms youth choir vienna philharmonic orchestra sir simon rattle conductor. The dream of gerontius 1900 is one of the finest choral edifices in the english language, with complex orchestral writing on a symphonic scale. Scores at the international music score library project imslp. The best of me is the first book to attempt to provide a complete history of gerontius from cardinal newman to the present day. The dream of gerontius by elgar, edward and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The dream of gerontius, popularly called just gerontius, is an oratorio opus 38 in two parts composed by edward elgar in 1900, to text from the poem by cardinal newman.
This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Newman wrote the dream of gerontius later in his life as he was beginning to contemplate his final end. Elgar said, my first music was learnt in the cathedral. It had been translated into french and german and was reprinted during newmans lifetime. If you use and like, thank you to consider support donation.
But at its first performance in birmingham, 105 years ago, the music was thought daring, even difficult, while the subject matter. London symphony orchestra richard hickox 1988 recorded in watford town hall. Telling the story of the journey of a dying mans soul into the afterlife, the subject originally caused uproar within the english church yet is now acclaimed as one of the great choral masterpieces and one of elgars most popular works. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged.
Aug 07, 2008 today, elgars the dream of gerontius is a national monument. The selfish interests of individuals are replaced by the churchs interest, the salvation of. It is, quite simply, one of the greatest spiritual dramas ever written. It is based on the epic poem, the dream of gerontius by john henry newman written in 1865. The dream of gerontius, first published in 1865, is cardinal newmans epic poem describing the descent of gerontius, an everyman character, into death and purgatory. Therefore ive not filled his part with church tunes and rubbish, but a good healthy full blooded romantic worldliness. Although the dream of gerontius is held in high esteem in england, it is less frequently performed in the united states.
Edward elgars the dream of gerontius is frequently regarded as his masterpiecea towering oratorio noted for its complex score and profound religious message. The dream of gerontius has accompanied me throughout my adult life every sadness, joy and significant moment of the past 50 years, until now i cannot imagine living without it. Edward elgar musician music database radio swiss classic. Oct 01, 2007 the dream of gerontius, first published in 1865, is cardinal newmans epic poem describing the descent of gerontius, an everyman character, into death and purgatory. Orchestra sinfonica e coro di roma della rai, barbirolli. The dream of gerontius this book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1.
And once he has died, the story follows his soul through an encounter with angels and demons as he approaches the judgment of god. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Get the guaranteed best price on satb choral music ou like the novello the dream of gerontius, op. For 20 years we provide a free and legal service for free sheet music without asking you anything in exchange. The failure of the premiere was regrettable, of course, but not inexplicable. A journey into the soul elgars masterpiece the dream of gerontius is regarded as one of the most powerful religious choral works ever written. Based on a poem by john henry cardinal newman, it dispensed with the traditional admixture of recitatives, arias, and choruses, using instead a continuous musical texture as in the musical dramas of richard wagner. The following 1 pages are in this category, out of 1 total. While the work enjoys nearly the same esteem as handels messiah and mendelssohns elijah in its native land, almost every performance abroad is seen as a rediscovery. The dream of gerontiussea pictures choir orchestral. The poem opens with the old mans realization that his time has come. As the bbc once said in the introduction to a concert, edward elgars oratorio the dream of gerontius is seen in great britain as a national monument.
Britten boult hickox, elgar, edward dream of gerontius. The poem, written after newmans conversion from anglicanism to roman catholicism, explores his new catholicheld beliefs of the journey from death through paradise to god and thence to purgatory. Today, elgars the dream of gerontius is a national monument. Please note that even expedited orders will be delayed. Gerontius is a man like us and not a priest or a saint, but a sinner. Elgar made a conscious decision not to write down to amateur singers, and his choral. Mar 19, 2017 the dream of gerontius 1900 is one of the finest choral edifices in the english language, with complex orchestral writing on a symphonic scale. Mar 28, 2011 i t is hard to explain why the dream of gerontius manages to have such a powerful effect on someone who rejects every particle of the religious impulses that nourish it. Elgars own performances were said to be operatic in their dramatic. Theological themes in newmans dream of gerontius 4 the ecclesiology reflected in the dream of gerontius is based on the common end of the church.
Elgars dream of gerontius was thought by many to be outlandishly modern at the time of its completion in 1900. Over the years i have sought to hear a variety of different interpretations to go alongside my beloved copy of the barbirolli. Elgar and the dream of gerontius conducting electricity. The selfish interests of individuals are replaced by the churchs interest, the salvation of each one of its members. Not by the token of this faltering breath, this chill. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. This stunning vocal rendition of elgars nimrod will have you weeping in seconds. A guide to why elgars the dream of gerontius is the most. Follow the text of edward elgars the dream of gerontius, to text from the poem by cardinal john henry newman. The dream of gerontius the complete text classic fm. The dream of gerontius synopsis the oratorio opens with an orchestral prelude laying out some of the themes that will take on special significance as.
The dream of gerontius tells the story of a devout believer and his journey through death into the afterlife, his judgement by god, and his descent into purgatory where he will prepare and atone before entering heaven. In the autograph score, elgar wrote the work represented the best of me, and countless listeners have agreed with him. Until further notice we will only be able to ship orders on mondays and thursdays. Edward elgar was born in the small village of lower broadheath, outside worcester, england. Among the wedding presents he received was a copy of the poem, the dream of gerontius by john, cardinal newman 18011890, which was given to him by the parish priest of the catholic church in worcester where elgar had been the organist. And it is to such that the berliner philharmoniker and conductor. Satb choir and piano sheet music book by edward elgar 18571934. This magnificent poem follows gerontius from his earthly end to his introduction before the heavenly host. Licensed to youtube by merlin harmonia mundi, entertainment one u. On 8 may 1889 edward elgar married alice roberts at brompton oratory.
In sir edward elgar another major work, the oratorio the dream of gerontius, which many consider his masterpiece. His father, william henry elgar 18211906, was raised in dover and had been apprenticed to a london music publisher. The dream of gerontius is an 1865 poem written by st john henry newman consisting of the prayer of a dying man, and angelic and demonic responses. Aug 07, 2008 synopsis of elgars the dream of gerontius. It relates the journey of a pious mans soul from his deathbed to his judgment before god and settling into purgatory. Firmly i believe and truly, and praise to the holiest in the height. Newmans poem had been published in 1865 and elgar was familiar with it already but now he had his own. Cardinal newmans words are beyond atrocious as poetry, and i find their sadomasochistic doctrinal underpinning sickening o happy, suffering soul. The original vocal score of gerontius was actually printed before elgars had even finalised or completed his final orchestration and as such it was printed without many of. Articles previously published in the elgar society journal have been updated and, where appropriate, expanded. Whats controversial about a sacred piece of choral music, you might ask. Everyone who loves elgar acclaims the dream of gerontius as a masterpiece.
Gerontius just means an old man, and in the poem, he represents all of us hes an everyman. The poem was first performed in 1900 by the english composer, edward elgar. Elgars the dream of gerontius rising from the ashes. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. One challenge is the technical complexity of the work. Archipel arpcd 0403 2 elgar t he obvious reason for this reissue of this 1957 radio italiana broadcast is the presence of the l. Not by the token of this faltering breath, this chill at heart, this dampness on my brow. He also composed choral works, including the dream of gerontius. The bbc called it a national monument, whilst classicfm labelled it the most epic choral stupendousness.
Lost elgar masterpiece found in autograph book and heard for the first time in 100 years. Elgar was catholic and though much of his music is associated with the anglican church, the dream of gerontius is really quite catholic gerontius prays to the virgin and the piece ends up with his soul being sent to purgatory. The dream of gerontius, oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra 18991900. Cardinal newmans poem the dream of gerontius was a wellknown and muchloved work in its own right by the time elgar came to set it to music in 1900. The theological themes in newmans dream of gerontius. For it is safe, consumed, yet quickened by the glance of god. The dream of gerontius cardinal john henry newman, maurice. Elgars own performances were said to be operatic in.
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