Composer

:

Edward Elgar

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Compose Date

:

1900

Average_duration

:

91:25

Movement_count

:

22

Movement ....

The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 is a choral work composed by Edward Elgar in 1900. It is based on a poem by John Henry Newman, which tells the story of a dying man's journey through death and into the afterlife. The work is divided into three movements and is scored for a large orchestra, chorus, and three soloists. The premiere of The Dream of Gerontius took place in Birmingham in 1900, conducted by the composer himself. The work was an immediate success and has since become one of Elgar's most popular and enduring works. The first movement, titled "Gerontius' Prayer," begins with a solemn orchestral introduction before the chorus enters with a prayer for the dying Gerontius. The tenor soloist then enters, singing Gerontius' final prayer before his death. The movement ends with a powerful choral climax as Gerontius' soul departs from his body. The second movement, titled "The Angel," is a dialogue between Gerontius' soul and an angel who guides him through his journey into the afterlife. The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with the soloists and chorus singing in a more subdued and contemplative manner. The final movement, titled "The Judgement," is a dramatic and powerful depiction of Gerontius' judgement before God. The music is grand and majestic, with the chorus and orchestra building to a climactic finale as Gerontius' soul is welcomed into heaven. Overall, The Dream of Gerontius is a deeply spiritual and emotional work that explores themes of death, redemption, and the afterlife. Elgar's music is both powerful and poignant, with moments of great beauty and intensity. The work remains a beloved masterpiece of the choral repertoire and a testament to Elgar's genius as a composer.

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