Recording made following sell-out concert which was rapturously recieved Star-studded cast of soloists - Terfel, Coote and Groves - whose performances were universally applauded
’If you were looking to enter the Kingdom, you would desperately hope this guy [Terfel] nods you through’ - The Guardian
Highly acclaimed performances of major choral role in the work from Halle Choir and Youth Choir (semi-chorus), described in the concert performance as being ’almost unbelievably fine’ - Manchester Evening News
Conductor Mark Elder was Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, June 2008
Landmark release to celebrate Halle’s 150th Anniversary
Continues the series of highly regarded Elder recordings by Elder and Halle
Winner of Classic FM Gramophone Choral Award - 2009
“Mark Elder’s interpretation with the Hallé orchestra and choir evaded characterisation, though he stamps his dramatic instincts all over the piece. It is either a religious tone poem or a spiritual opera, either way the effect is frequently cataclysmic”
“Nothing has charted the rise of the Hallé over the eight years that Mark Elder has been their music director more graphically than their outstanding series of Elgar recordings, which reach a new level with this set... a quite remarkable all-round achievement.”
Andrew Clements
“The other great quality of Sir Mark’s interpretation is that he presents Gerontius as drama. The care for building the musical and tonal shape of the work ... stood out in every phrase.”
