Janet Baker sings excerpt from The Dream of Gerontius

[cantaresamar]

I was privileged to sing in the chorus at a Prom performance of the Dream about 30 years ago, with Janet Baker as the Angel. Her performance was truly magnificent. I have taken part in other performances since, but none of the Angels have matched hers. Incidentally it was amusing to watch her at the rehearsal giving the conductor (who had best remain anonymous) a few tips on how to conduct a choir!

[BrickLaneBetty]

Baker+Elgar= HEAVEN!

[MegaCat35]

Dame Janet is, without question, the finest interpreter of Elgar's Angel.

[violinguy100]

What's up with the orchestra

[mtenor]

Minton was a better singer

[grahamlaurens]

The difference twixt her earlier recording of "softly and gently" and the latter 'bout 18 years later is that in the former, she said to herself, "I am playing an angel", the latter, "I am an angel". The latter I have listened to an uncountable number of times, and it is pure genius!

[PhillipLWilcher]

I so love her!

[theoldstro]

I never had a dream in my life... Ahhhhhhh!

[stuggsie]

It's at Haddo House in Aberdeenshire, with Lady Aberdeen - June Gordon - conducting, probably from the early '80s, when Dame Janet wrote her autobiographical journey "Full Circle". What a precious document. Many thanks for posting it.

[PhillipLWilcher]

You know, I met her many years ago and she and Geoffrey Parsons signed a copy of "Full Circle" tp me. Wonderful memories.....

[Maciek1]

Is it Birmngham filharmony ?

[141407078989]

what year is this? allways awsome Janet Baker

[Jeremy7890]

nice! would like to see the whole piece!

[machoolahan]

Yes cheers for posting this - it is a really stunning passage - transcenadant

[Cnthonian]

Thanks so much for posting this.  The old recording of this piece with Janet is one of my favorites. Her vocal color for this role is perfect!

--Cnthonian