Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius – Clayton, Barton, Platt, Halle Choir, London PO & Choir, Gardner | CD, LPO

Edward Elgar made his belated breakthrough in 1899 with the Enigma Variations and consolidated his success the following year with The Dream of Gerontius, a setting of Cardinal John Henry Newman’s deeply Catholic meditation on death, judgement and the afterlife.

Widely regarded as Elgar’s finest choral work, it reflects the composer’s own complex relationship with faith and the Church. This live concert performance from the BBC Proms in August 2022 features American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton in the role of the Angel, opposite British tenor Allan Clayton in the title role; they are joined by British bass James Platt as the Priest/Angel of the Agony. The London Philharmonic Choir and Hallé Choir join the London Philharmonic Orchestra under its Principal Conductor, Edward Gardner, a distinguished interpreter of British music.