Although Elgar's Gerontius may be an unlikely focus of Bennett's The Choral, the work scarcely requires a increase in recognition. Edward Gardner's vibrant new album stands as one of three issued in the past 24 months, with an additional one due in January.
Recorded live at the BBC Proms in 2022, this propulsive performance boasts a lot in its favor. Allan Clayton portrays the feverish nature of the dying man whose each feeling is simultaneously a fear and a intrigue. His heroic voice excites in the magnificent prayer, Holy and Strong, while an expressive handling of text highlights the philosophical dialogue section in the second part. Barton's luxurious voice has a palpable immediacy as well as offering plentiful reserves of comfort. Platt's rugged bass voice is ideally matched to the Angel of the Agony.
Gardner is highly dramatic, conveying the story with an nearly operatic boldness. The London Philharmonic plays as if a chorus of demons was at its heels, matched by the combined forces of the LPO and Hallé choruses. In places, the acoustic deprives the performance of the final bit of directness, but overall it's a excellent accomplishment to place alongside Collon's gripping Finnish version issued in recent months.
