Music for February: Week Three
The Dream of Gerontius (excerpt)
Edward Elgar
The Dream of Gerontius (excerpt)
Edward Elgar
Detail of angel carrying a soul to heaven from The Burial of Count Orgaz by El Greco (1568).
The Dream of Gerontius is a work for voices and orchestra in two parts composed by Edward Elgar in 1900, to text from the poem by Saint John Henry Newman.
In Part Two, Gerontius is now referred to as The Soul. Having awakened in this new place, apparently without time or space, he meets his Guardian Angel. Together they journey towards the presence of God and Gerontius’ judgement. They safely pass a group of demons, waiting to gather souls for hell, and encounter the angelical choirs eternally singing the praise of God. Having glimpsed God and being judged in a moment, The Angel lowers The Soul (Gerontius) into the soothing lake of Purgatory, with a final benediction and promise of a re-awakening to eternal glory, bringing this remarkable work to its glorious conclusion.
This beautiful excerpt is performed here by the glorious mezzo soprano, Dame Janet Baker with Sir John Barbirolli conducting the Hallé Choir and Orchestra. From a recording in 1964.
The Angel
Softly and gently, dearly-ransom'd soul,
In my most loving arms I now enfold thee,
And, o'er the penal waters, as they roll,
I poise thee, and I lower thee, and hold thee.
And carefully I dip thee in the lake,
And thou, without a sob or a resistance,
Dost through the flood thy rapid passage take,
Sinking deep, deeper, into the dim distance.
Angels, to whom the willing task is given,
Shall tend, and nurse, and lull thee, as thou liest;
And Masses on the earth, and prayers in heaven,
Shall aid thee at the Throne of the Most Highest.
Farewell, but not for ever! brother dear,
Be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow;
Swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here,
And I will come and wake thee on the morrow.
Farewell.
In Part Two, Gerontius is now referred to as The Soul. Having awakened in this new place, apparently without time or space, he meets his Guardian Angel. Together they journey towards the presence of God and Gerontius’ judgement. They safely pass a group of demons, waiting to gather souls for hell, and encounter the angelical choirs eternally singing the praise of God. Having glimpsed God and being judged in a moment, The Angel lowers The Soul (Gerontius) into the soothing lake of Purgatory, with a final benediction and promise of a re-awakening to eternal glory, bringing this remarkable work to its glorious conclusion.
This beautiful excerpt is performed here by the glorious mezzo soprano, Dame Janet Baker with Sir John Barbirolli conducting the Hallé Choir and Orchestra. From a recording in 1964.
The Angel
Softly and gently, dearly-ransom'd soul,
In my most loving arms I now enfold thee,
And, o'er the penal waters, as they roll,
I poise thee, and I lower thee, and hold thee.
And carefully I dip thee in the lake,
And thou, without a sob or a resistance,
Dost through the flood thy rapid passage take,
Sinking deep, deeper, into the dim distance.
Angels, to whom the willing task is given,
Shall tend, and nurse, and lull thee, as thou liest;
And Masses on the earth, and prayers in heaven,
Shall aid thee at the Throne of the Most Highest.
Farewell, but not for ever! brother dear,
Be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow;
Swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here,
And I will come and wake thee on the morrow.
Farewell.