Edo de Waart, Royal Flemish Philharmonic - Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius & Symphony No. 1 (2013) [SACD]

On this evidence, Edo de Waart is clearly an Elgar conductor of no mean instinct. Both performances benefit from his judiciously clear-sighted direction...there's an endearing freshness, sense of new discovery and wholehearted application about this substantial undertaking.~Gramophone Magazine

The First Symphony, in particular, burns under a surface sheen, and “The Dream of Gerontius” is intensely played and firmly sung.~New York Times

Tracks:

Edward Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38

Part I: Prelude
Part I: Jesu, Maria - I am near to death (Gerontius)
Part I: Kyrie eleison (Chorus)
Part I: Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus (Gerontius)
Part I: Rescue him, O Lord (Chorus)
Part I: Profiscere, anima Christiana (The Priest)

Part II: Andantino
Part II: I went to sleep (The Soul of Gerontius)
Part II: Low-born clods of brute earth (Chorus)
Part II: I see not those false spirits (The Soul of Gerontius, The Angel)
Part II: Praise to the Holiest (Chorus, Angel)
Part II: And now the threshold - Praise to the Holiest (Angel, Chorus)
Part II: The judgment now is near (The Angel, The Soul of Gerontius)
Part II: Jesu! By that shuddering dread (The Angel of the Agony)
Part II: I go before my Judge - Be merciful, o Lord (The Soul of Gerontius, Angel, Chorus)
Part II: Lord, Thou hast been our refuge (Chorus)
Part II: Angel's Farewell (Angel, Chorus)
Edward Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55

I. Andante nobilmente e semplice - Allegro
II. Allegro molto
III. Adagio
IV. Lento - Allegro

Personnel:

Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra
Edo De Waart - Conductor
Collegium Vocale Gent - Choir
Edward Caswell - Choir master
John Hancock - Baritone
Michelle Breedt - Mezzo
Peter Auty - Tenor