ConcertPulse
Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius
Barbican Centre, Barbican Hall (London)
A tribute to Sir Andrew Davis: Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
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A tribute to Sir Andrew Davis: Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
If Sir Simon could only take one work with him to a desert island, it would be Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. According to the BRSO Chief Conductor, “there is no better way to start the new season than with this profound, very personal spiritual journey.” This music is closer to perfection than almost anything written before or since. Just think of the famous alto aria “Erbarme dich.” Rattle, the BRSO, and the Bavarian Radio Chorus have been waiting for this moment for three years. Fortunately, this is the same exquisite line-up of vocal soloists as the previously planned concert that had to be cancelled at short notice due to the pandemic, and which could only be watched via livestream. This line-up includes the British tenor Mark Padmore, one of the most charismatic Evangelists of our time. For the BRSO, it represents a most joyful reunion with a long-standing artistic companion and former Artist in Residence.
If Sir Simon could only take one work with him to a desert island, it would be Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. According to the BRSO Chief Conductor, “there is no better way to start the new season than with this profound, very personal spiritual journey.” This music is closer to perfection than almost anything written before or since. Just think of the famous alto aria “Erbarme dich.” Rattle, the BRSO, and the Bavarian Radio Chorus have been waiting for this moment for three years. Fortunately, this is the same exquisite line-up of vocal soloists as the previously planned concert that had to be cancelled at short notice due to the pandemic, and which could only be watched via livestream. This line-up includes the British tenor Mark Padmore, one of the most charismatic Evangelists of our time. For the BRSO, it represents a most joyful reunion with a long-standing artistic companion and former Artist in Residence.
“The Mount Everest of music”: that’s what American stage director Peter Sellar’s once called Bach’s St Matthew Passion. Now Simon Rattle will scale this summit of western music with his future Munich ensembles, the BRSO and the Bavarian Radio Chorus. The choice team of vocal soloists likewise raises expectations. A key role is conferred upon the Evangelist, who not only relates the story of the Passion, but participates in and responds to it inwardly as a witness. With British tenor Mark Padmore this part will be taken by one of the most charismatic Evangelists of our time. For the BRSO it marks a happy reunion with a longstanding artistic friend – and a former artist-in-residence.