The Dream of Gerontius (1/7): Gerald Finley sings "Go forth upon thy journey, Christian soul"

The wonderful bass-baritone Gerald Finley, as the Priest, sings: "Go forth upon thy journey, Christian soul".


The Priest and Assistants:

"Proficiscere, anima Christiana, de hoc mundo!
Go forth upon thy journey, Christian soul!
Go from this world! Go, in the Name of God
The Omnipotent Father, Who created thee!
Go, in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Son of the Living God, Who bled for thee!
Go, in the Name of the Holy Spirit,
Who Hath been poured out on thee!
Go in the name
Of Angels and Archangels; in the name
Of Thrones and Dominations; in the name
Of Princedoms and of Powers; and in the name
Of Cherubim and Seraphim, go forth!
Go, in the name of Patriarchs and Prophets;
And of Apostles and Evangelists,
Of Martyrs and Confessors, in the name
Of holy Monks and Hermits; in the name
Of holy Virgins; and all Saints of God,
Both men and women, go! Go on thy course;
And may thy place today be found in peace,
And may thy dwelling be the Holy Mount
Of Sion: - through the Same, through Christ our Lord"


Extract from Part 1 of a live performance of the oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" by Sir Edward Elgar based on the poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman, given in Boston, Mass., in January 2008.

Sir Colin Davis conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
The soloists were Ben Heppner (tenor), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano) and Gerald Finley (bass-baritone).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Edward
• Elgar
• oratorio
• The
• Dream
• of
• Gerontius
• Gerald
• Finley
• bass-baritone
• Sarah
• Connolly
• mezzo-soprano
• Ben
• Heppner
• tenor
• Colin
• Davis
• Boston
• Symphony
• Orchestra
• Tanglewood
• Festival
• Chorus

[attila1957]

My beloved Christian mother was carried out of the church to this yesterday, her favourite piece of music ever, one she has sung many times with the Royal Choral Society and the Brighton Festival Chorus.

I am not a Christian, but it was the most moving moment of my life.

I love you, Mum.

[57monks]

@attila1957 How blessed your Mom was to have left with this glorious music accompanying her. I heard the entire Dream 2 weeks after my mother departed, and although i am Jewish, the experience was deeply consoling. Music such as this transcends all religion. May your Mom always be a radiant light for you.

[Chrisfaecrail]

Moving beyond words

[dollynapattaya]

Quote from the Elgar Society's Commentary on Elgar's life and beliefs: 'As he grew older, his belief gradually withered. Although on his deathbed he is reported to have reaffirmed his commitment to the Roman Catholic faith and, while unconscious, received the last rites, he had not attended a church service for many a year. He claimed to have no belief in a life after death and to have taken exception to the dogma of the Catholic liturgy.'

[NihilNominis]

Writer an Oratorian priest, Cardinal, now Blessed and on the road to canonisation. Composer an Oratorian lay brother. This piece does not "transcend" religion, it expresses it magnificently. If you claim that it transcends religion, what you really mean to say is that you never thought religion could be so eloquent, or so profound. Your concept of religion, not Catholicism, is lacking in depth.

[averitas]

@attila1957 Prayers. You have help in heaven.

[meriomeri]

like butta

[Richythebee]

I think that "religion" has everything to do with appreciating this kind of song, whether implicitly or explicitly. You strip the song of its value and unwittingly make it meaningless by saying that it "transcends" religion. Perhaps it does, but it is birthed within religion, and must be appreciated as such. I think the composer would say as much.

It's a hard part to sing, and it was excellently executed here though!

[nboltitude]

Wow...I've heard many live performances of this piece back home in the UK (including Sir Colin with the London Symphony Orchestra and their own live recording), but this sounds so much more vivid and immediate, not only Gerald Finley but the chorus too.... A great performance. I'll have to hop on over to the Tanglewood festival sometime to hear the BSO, evidently!

[wA7racer]

i would like to speak to the Philistine who coughs at 6.03 lol...

[wA7racer]

@martingadd I agree with You: i am not religious but i do like Choral music..i think because this piece says much about the human condition...