Edward Gardner's vibrant new album, 'The Dream of Gerontius', sets a bold and dramatic tone from the opening notes. Recorded live at the 2022 BBC Proms, this propulsive reading brings a fresh perspective to the timeless classic.
Soprano Allan Clayton shines in the title role, imbuing the character with febrile energy that's both captivating and unsettling. His voice soars through the triumphant 'Sanctus Fortis', while his nuanced approach adds depth to the philosophical dialogue in Part Two. Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton offers a rich, immediate sound that conveys the emotional weight of Gerontius's final moments.
Bass James Platt is equally impressive as the Angel of the Agony, bringing a sense of gravitas and menace to the role. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays with a ferocity that matches the intensity of the music, while the Hallé Choirs add their own special brand of drama to the proceedings.
Under Gardner's baton, the performance is marked by an operatic boldness that's hard to ignore. While some may find the acoustic characteristics of the recording slightly compromised, it's a minor quibble in what is otherwise a remarkable achievement. This 'Dream of Gerontius' ranks alongside Nicholas Collon's earlier Finnish account as a standout recording in this repertoire.
Gardner's vision and the orchestral playing have resulted in an album that will resonate with fans of 'The Dream of Gerontius', and newcomers alike. It's a testament to Gardner's skill and the LPO's commitment that this recording is so compellingly alive, its music and drama seeping into every pore of the listener's being.
Soprano Allan Clayton shines in the title role, imbuing the character with febrile energy that's both captivating and unsettling. His voice soars through the triumphant 'Sanctus Fortis', while his nuanced approach adds depth to the philosophical dialogue in Part Two. Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton offers a rich, immediate sound that conveys the emotional weight of Gerontius's final moments.
Bass James Platt is equally impressive as the Angel of the Agony, bringing a sense of gravitas and menace to the role. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays with a ferocity that matches the intensity of the music, while the Hallé Choirs add their own special brand of drama to the proceedings.
Under Gardner's baton, the performance is marked by an operatic boldness that's hard to ignore. While some may find the acoustic characteristics of the recording slightly compromised, it's a minor quibble in what is otherwise a remarkable achievement. This 'Dream of Gerontius' ranks alongside Nicholas Collon's earlier Finnish account as a standout recording in this repertoire.
Gardner's vision and the orchestral playing have resulted in an album that will resonate with fans of 'The Dream of Gerontius', and newcomers alike. It's a testament to Gardner's skill and the LPO's commitment that this recording is so compellingly alive, its music and drama seeping into every pore of the listener's being.
This album has me shook 
Edward Gardner's vision really brings out the drama in 'The Dream of Gerontius'. The way Allan Clayton brings life to Gerontius is insane 
. I mean, that 'Sanctus Fortis' piece is like a battle cry for the character. And Jamie Barton's performance as Gerontius at the end is just masterfully done 
. James Platt as the Angel of Agony sends chills down my spine every time 
. The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Hallé Choirs absolutely kill it on this album 
. It's a must-listen for classical music fans! 
. I mean, it's not like they're trying to make a quick buck off unsuspecting concertgoers or anything... "bold" and "dramatic tone"? Sounds like just some marketing fluff to me 
. But hey, if you're into that sorta thing, go for it, I guess. The soprano sounds okay, but what's with the obligatory "febrile energy" description? Can't they come up with something more original than that? And don't even get me started on the "operatic boldness"... just code for "we're trying too hard to be impressive". 
I'm loving this new album from Edward Gardner! The way he brings out the energy in 'The Dream of Gerontius' is just electric 
. The London Philharmonic Orchestra really delivers with their propulsive reading, and the soloists are all top-notch. Allan Clayton's vocals give me chills every time - his voice has this crazy emotional range 
. The only thing I'd say is that some people might find the acoustics a bit wonky, but honestly, I'm nitpicking 
... overall, just an amazing achievement! 
. Allan Clayton as Gerontius is giving me chills 
. Can't wait to dive into the rest of the album now! 
. And can we talk about James Platt as the Angel of the Agony? He brings such a sense of gravitas to that role 
. I also love how Gardner pushes the boundaries with this operatic sound - it's not for everyone, but if you're a fan like me, you'll be HOOKED! The only thing that kept me from giving it a 5/5 is maybe the acoustic quality of some parts, but honestly, it's a minor quibble 
. Can't wait to dive in and listen again...
. Meanwhile, James Platt's bass playing is a 9/10 in terms of intensity and dynamics 
️. Did you know that 'The Dream of Gerontius' has been streamed over 2 million times worldwide since its release? 
The album's success rate on Metacritic is 92%, indicating "universal acclaim" 
. The fact that a soprano like Allan Clayton can convey such febrile energy is just mind-blowing 
. I love how the soprano's voice takes center stage in that 'Sanctus Fortis' part, it gives me chills every time 
. The London Philharmonic Orchestra is on fire, and I'm all about that operatic boldness 
. Definitely gotta give a listen to fans of 'The Dream of Gerontius' or anyone looking for something new to obsess over 
james platt as the angel of agony is so cool, adds this whole new layer of drama to the performance 
. I mean, who needs all that drama and intensity when you can have some soothing music to calm your nerves? This Gardner guy must be trying too hard to make it sound like something big, but honestly, it just feels like over-orchestrated nonsense 
, they're like a well-oiled machine, playing with passion and intensity. I mean, sure the recording might not be perfect 
, but honestly who cares when the music is that good? this album is a must-listen for anyone who loves classical music 
just heard about climate change affecting coral reefs in Australia and it's getting super dire, like half of the Great Barrier Reef is dead already 
. And can we talk about Jamie Barton? Her sound is like a warm hug on a cold day - comforting, yet emotionally charged 
, and the way he brings out the drama in every note is just masterful 
. This album is a must-listen for anyone who loves classical music (or not, let's be real) 
. Trust me, it'll leave you breathless and wanting more