Recommended Sheet Music, A New Edition of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius

Edward Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 remains a popular composition in the United Kingdom to this day, and with this new edition Carus hopes to bring the work to a much wider audience. A milestone of late romantic choral music, this edition is the first modern score with a full critical report and singing texts in both English and German.

Dream of Gerontius is a moving setting of the eponymous poem by Cardinal Newman, which tells the story of a dying man and his journey beyond death to God. Both Elgar and Cardinal Newman were part of the large Catholic community established alongside the Methodists and the Quakers in Birmingham: a hub of creativity, and one of Europe's richest and best governed cities at the time. The piece was composed for the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival in 1900, and although badly performed at the premiere, later performances of the work brought the piece to greater recognition and appreciation. However, the strong Roman Catholicism of the work caused many Anglican objections to it being performed in English cathedrals, and the text was modified in some instances to tone down the Catholic references.

A real rarity in the history of oratorio, Dream of Gerontius is a thrilling alternative to the established repertoire of Requiem settings. Glorious Romantic music, fabulously orchestrated, chorally adventurous, with impressive solo parts, the compelling storytelling illustrated by the stirring music makes it one of the most praised oratorios of all time.

Previously available editions of the work were reprints based on the historic, but inconsistent, first printed materials. By contrast, Carus have produced a modern, newly engraved edition, taking all the sources into consideration, and evaluating the autograph manuscript in detail. The full score and vocal score are available to purchase now, with the complete orchestral material to become available later in the year.

Edward Elgar's The Dream Of Gerontius