Cristian Măcelaru
Oslo Philharmonic Choir
Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Soloists Edward Elgar

When life draws to its close, what awaits the soul on the other side? In Oslo, two of Norway's leading choirs and an international trio of soloists come together under the direction of Cristian Măcelaru to bring this monumental work to life. Vast emotional range, dramatic intensity, and moving tenderness are woven together in Elgar's masterpiece, one of classical music's most heartfelt depictions of what lies beyond.

In Edward Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, the heartfelt and the monumental merge in a musical journey few composers have managed to create with such emotional power.

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

The Dream of Gerontius is an oratorio based on John Henry Newman's poem of the same name. The poem follows an old man's encounter with death and the soul's meeting with a guardian angel, God, and finally Purgatory.

Edward Elgar (1857–1934) is known for his harmonic and sensitive musical language. He often drew inspiration from Wagner's dramatic orchestration, something clearly heard in The Dream of Gerontius. It is a work of great emotional contrasts. The opening expresses the soul of Gerontius as it passes into the afterlife.