℗ 2014 Chandos Records
| Released | October 1, 2014 |
| Duration | 2h 04m 18s |
| Record Label | Chandos |
| Catalogue No. | CHAN5140W |
| Genre | Classical (Opera) |
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius & Sea Pictures
Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Stuart Skelton, David Soar, Dame Sarah Connolly, BBC Symphony Chorus
Available in 96 kHz / 24-bit AIFF, FLAC high resolution audio formats
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Sea Pictures, Op. 37
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1.1
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I. Sea Slumber Song
Sir Edward Elgar; Roden Noel; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
4:46 | |||
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1.2
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II. In Haven (Capri)
Sir Edward Elgar; Alice Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:41 | |||
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1.3
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III. Sabbath Morning at Sea
Sir Edward Elgar; Elizabeth Barrett Browning; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
5:36 | |||
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1.4
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IV. Where Corals lie
Sir Edward Elgar; Richard Garnett; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
3:41 | |||
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1.5
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V. The Swimmer
Sir Edward Elgar; Adam Lindsay Gordon; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
6:09 | |||
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The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38
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1.6
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Prelude. Lento, mistico
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Sir Andrew Davis |
9:07 | |||
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The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Part I
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1.7
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Jesu, Maria - I am near to death (Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
3:42 | |||
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1.8
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Kyrie eleïson (Assistants)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:11 | |||
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1.9
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Rouse thee, my fainting soul, and play (Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
0:51 | |||
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1.10
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Be merciful, be gracious, spare him, Lord (Assistants)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:48 | |||
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1.11
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Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus (Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
5:43 | |||
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1.12
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I can no more; for now it comes again (Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:06 | |||
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1.13
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Rescue him, O Lord, in this his evil hour (Assistants)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:06 | |||
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1.14
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Novissima hora est; and I fain would sleep (Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:21 | |||
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1.15
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Proficiscere, anima Christiana (The Priest)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; David Soar; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:54 | |||
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1.16
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Go, in the name of Angels and Archangels (Assistants)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
4:38 | |||
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2.1
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Introduction. I went to sleep; and now I am refresh'd (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
6:15 | |||
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The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Part II
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2.2
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My work is done (Angel)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:20 | |||
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2.3
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It is a member of that family (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:42 | |||
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2.4
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I ever had believed (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
4:06 | |||
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2.5
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But hard! upon my sense comes a fierce hubbub (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
0:49 | |||
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2.6
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Low-born clods of brute earth (Demons)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:20 | |||
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2.7
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The mind bold and independent (Demons)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:23 | |||
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2.8
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I see not those false spirits (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
3:10 | |||
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2.9
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Praise to the Holiest in the height (I / Choir of Angelicals)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
2:59 | |||
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2.10
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Glory to Him, who evermore by truth and justice reigns (Choir of Angelicals)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:18 | |||
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2.11
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But hark! a grand, mysterious harmony (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:17 | |||
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The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38
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2.12
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Praise to the Holiest in the height (II / Choir of Angelicals)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
6:49 | |||
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The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Part II
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2.13
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Thy judgment now is near (Angel)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
3:05 | |||
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2.14
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Jesu! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee (Angel of the Agony)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; David Soar; Sir Andrew Davis |
3:53 | |||
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2.15
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I go before my Judge (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:30 | |||
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2.16
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…Praise to His Name! (Angel)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:30 | |||
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2.17
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Take me away, and in the lowest deep there let me be (Soul of Gerontius)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Stuart Skelton; Sir Andrew Davis |
3:20 | |||
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2.18
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Lord, Thou hast been our refuge: in every generation (Souls in Purgatory)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Sir Andrew Davis |
1:03 | |||
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2.19
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Softly and gently, dearly-ransom'd soul (Angel)
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Dame Sarah Connolly; Sir Andrew Davis |
6:46 | |||
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2.20
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Prelude, concert version
Sir Edward Elgar; Andrew Davis; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Sir Andrew Davis |
9:23 | |||
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Digital Booklet
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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.
96 kHz / 24-bit PCM – Chandos Studio Masters
| Track title | Peak (dB FS) | RMS (dB FS) | LUFS (integrated) | DR | |
Album average Range of values | -5.80 -23.43 to -0.14 | -29.76 -44.78 to -21.62 | -25.60 -43.10 to -17.90 | 14 11 to 16 | |
| 1.1 | I. Sea Slumber Song | -11.74 | -34.54 | -31.8 | 15 |
| 1.2 | II. In Haven (Capri) | -13.02 | -33.83 | -30.0 | 13 |
| 1.3 | III. Sabbath Morning at Sea | -1.12 | -25.40 | -21.3 | 13 |
| 1.4 | IV. Where Corals lie | -7.31 | -32.42 | -29.0 | 14 |
| 1.5 | V. The Swimmer | -0.65 | -25.24 | -21.6 | 15 |
| 1.6 | Prelude. Lento, mistico | -0.40 | -25.61 | -19.0 | 15 |
| 1.7 | Jesu, Maria - I am near to death (Gerontius) | -3.99 | -30.19 | -25.8 | 15 |
| 1.8 | Kyrie eleïson (Assistants) | -11.23 | -35.21 | -29.9 | 13 |
| 1.9 | Rouse thee, my fainting soul, and play (Gerontius) | -9.37 | -31.32 | -27.1 | 13 |
| 1.10 | Be merciful, be gracious, spare him, Lord (Assistants) | -1.37 | -27.09 | -22.9 | 15 |
| 1.11 | Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus (Gerontius) | -0.26 | -26.33 | -22.3 | 15 |
| 1.12 | I can no more; for now it comes again (Gerontius) | -1.70 | -27.17 | -22.5 | 14 |
| 1.13 | Rescue him, O Lord, in this his evil hour (Assistants) | -0.14 | -25.70 | -18.3 | 14 |
| 1.14 | Novissima hora est; and I fain would sleep (Gerontius) | -14.51 | -38.75 | -33.5 | 11 |
| 1.15 | Proficiscere, anima Christiana (The Priest) | -4.08 | -29.13 | -26.0 | 13 |
| 1.16 | Go, in the name of Angels and Archangels (Assistants) | -2.74 | -24.66 | -20.0 | 13 |
| 2.1 | Introduction. I went to sleep; and now I am refresh'd (Soul of Gerontius) | -10.34 | -36.21 | -31.4 | 15 |
| 2.2 | My work is done (Angel) | -9.13 | -33.83 | -29.9 | 15 |
| 2.3 | It is a member of that family (Soul of Gerontius) | -8.03 | -32.18 | -27.4 | 14 |
| 2.4 | I ever had believed (Soul of Gerontius) | -4.58 | -29.27 | -25.6 | 14 |
| 2.5 | But hard! upon my sense comes a fierce hubbub (Soul of Gerontius) | -2.01 | -24.39 | -20.8 | 12 |
| 2.6 | Low-born clods of brute earth (Demons) | -0.40 | -21.62 | -17.9 | 14 |
| 2.7 | The mind bold and independent (Demons) | -1.68 | -24.24 | -19.2 | 14 |
| 2.8 | I see not those false spirits (Soul of Gerontius) | -8.91 | -33.39 | -28.5 | 14 |
| 2.9 | Praise to the Holiest in the height (I / Choir of Angelicals) | -1.85 | -29.75 | -26.0 | 16 |
| 2.10 | Glory to Him, who evermore by truth and justice reigns (Choir of Angelicals) | -4.33 | -28.50 | -24.2 | 13 |
| 2.11 | But hark! a grand, mysterious harmony (Soul of Gerontius) | -5.42 | -23.85 | -21.3 | 11 |
| 2.12 | Praise to the Holiest in the height (II / Choir of Angelicals) | -0.20 | -22.86 | -18.0 | 14 |
| 2.13 | Thy judgment now is near (Angel) | -7.50 | -32.09 | -30.3 | 15 |
| 2.14 | Jesu! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee (Angel of the Agony) | -3.29 | -29.77 | -26.0 | 14 |
| 2.15 | I go before my Judge (Soul of Gerontius) | -23.43 | -44.78 | -43.1 | 12 |
| 2.16 | …Praise to His Name! (Angel) | -5.28 | -23.97 | -20.1 | 11 |
| 2.17 | Take me away, and in the lowest deep there let me be (Soul of Gerontius) | -0.80 | -28.96 | -24.9 | 11 |
| 2.18 | Lord, Thou hast been our refuge: in every generation (Souls in Purgatory) | -20.12 | -41.93 | -39.2 | 11 |
| 2.19 | Softly and gently, dearly-ransom'd soul (Angel) | -7.64 | -31.38 | -28.1 | 14 |
| 2.20 | Prelude, concert version | -0.40 | -25.81 | -18.8 | 15 |