Cambridge Philharmonic Society’s recent production of The Dream of Gerontius by Elgar in Ely Cathedral positively mesmerised the audience. Inextricably bound with the potency of the work, the listeners sat entranced while they were taken through the dream sequences of a dying man. Few of us know what it feels like to die – but this representation must surely come close to the experience itself. With the expertise of conductor Timothy Redmond and choir master Christopher Whitton the work was given refreshing vigour. Choir, orchestra and soloists balanced exquisitely and captured perfectly the inner torment and final resolution of the souls’ journey. The enlarged orchestra led by Steve Bingham brought out the passionate momentum that drove Elgar’s unique style. With uniform tonal beauty, overwhelming emotional pull was drawn from the cohesive strings, woodwind and brass while a dramatic sense of spine-chilling evil emanated from Demons’ chorus with its amazing array of climactic percussion. The large chorus rose to exquisite heights: the Assistants singing with perceptive reverence, the Angelicals truly ‘angelic’ and the angular phrases of the demons quite malevolent. The positive contribution of the Cambridge Youth Choir was in no doubt.

Tenor Christopher Lemmings, mezzo soprano Anna Burford and a bass-baritone Daniel Grice complemented orchestra and choirs superbly. They also fully explored the contrasts that empowered Elgar’s messages. With impeccable diction, Christopher coloured the text with realism, Anna’s full-bodied tone enriched Elgar’s style giving special weight to the rising tones at the end of the phrases and Daniel’s full, strong voice gave his lines a special sense of purpose and declarative power proving that he was indeed the right man for the part.

This was a most moving experience that held the listeners spellbound from the very first emotionally-charged entries. Cambridge Philharmonic Society is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with and their next concert should not be missed! Their next event will feature Zimmermann’s Trumpet Concert, Vaughan William’s London Symphony and the Second Jazz Suite of Shostakovich and will take place on the 14th October 2007 at West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge.

Notes for editors

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