Martyn Brabbins: Orchestra of Opera North - Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius [2CD]

Format: 2 x CD
Catalogue No.: CDA684612
Barcode: 34571284613
Release Date: 30 Jan 2026
Genre: Classical

This new album of Elgar’s famous choral masterpiece ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ from Huddersfield Choral Society is optimally timed to coincide with major new film ‘The Choral’ which stars 3-time Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes. Set in 1916, the film, scripted by famous Yorkshire playwright Alan Bennett (‘History Boys’, ‘The Lady in the Van’) centres around a northern English choral society as they prepare to perform Elgar’s ‘Dream of Gerontius’ despite the challenges and losses of key singers fighting on the Western front. The story mirrors to a startling extent the choir featured on this new recording. 23 members of the real-life Huddersfield Choral Society enlisted and served in the Great War, during which there was indeed a celebrated performance of Elgar’s masterpiece, under the baton of no less than Sir Edward Elgar himself. ‘The Choral’ is both the name of the film and the nickname given to the Huddersfield Choral Society. This latest recording with Huddersfield Choral Society, The Orchestra of Opera North and Martyn Brabbins marks 80 years since the choir made the hugely successful first-ever recording of the work in 1945. This new recording could yet eclipse the others, aided by Fiennes and a host of acting talent including Simon Russell Beale.

CD1
I. Prelude [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]
Iia. Jesu, Maria, I Am Near to Death [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]
Iib. Kyrie Eleison [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]
Iii. Rouse Thee, My Fainting Soul ? Be Merciful, Be Gracious [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]
Iva. Sanctus Fortis, Sanctus Deus [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]
Ivb-d. I Can No More ? Rescue Him, O Lord ? Novissima Hora Est [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]
V. Proficiscere, Anima Christiana ? Go, in the Name of Angels and Archangels [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1]

CD2
Introduction [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Via-b. I Went to Sleep ? Another Marvel [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Vic. My Work is Done, My Task is O'er [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Vii. It is a Member of That Family [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Viiia. but Hark! Upon My Sense Comes a Fierce Hubbub [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Viiib-d. Low-born Clods of Brute Earth ? Dispossessed, Aside Thrust ? the Mind Bold and Independent [the Dream of Geront
Ixa. I See Not Those False Spirits [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Ixb-d. There Was a Mortal Praise ? Praise to the Holiest in the Height ? Glory to Him [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, P
Xa-b. but Hark! a Grand Mysterious Harmony ? and Now the Threshold As We Traverse It [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt
Xc. Praise to the Holiest in the Height [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Xia. Thy Judgement Now is Near [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Xib. Jesu! by That Shuddering Dread ? Xiia. I Go Before My Judge [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Xiib-d. Praise to His Name! ? Take Me Away! ? Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]
Xiii. Softly and Gently "Angel's Farewell" [the Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2]