Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sakari Oramo, with soloists Sarah Connolly, David Butt Philip, and Roderick Williams pay tribute to Sir Andrew Davis.

Recorded at the Barbican on 13th December. Presented by Martin Handley.

Edward Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
David Butt Philip (tenor)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

'Farewell but not forever, brother dear…' When Sir Andrew Davis died in April 2024, the musical world didn’t only lose a conductor of unique energy and insight. It lost one of its most beloved and respected personalities; a man who – as Chief Conductor and Conductor Laureate of the BBC SO, and President of the BBC Symphony Chorus – was at the heart of British music for more than three decades.
Tonight, instead of the concert that Sir Andrew had planned to conduct, Sakari Oramo conducts Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Davis was one of the supreme interpreters of Elgar’s heart-rending masterpiece: now, Dame Sarah Connolly, David Butt Philip and Roderick Williams join forces with his former orchestra and chorus under the baton of BBC SO Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo to celebrate the life of a much-missed artist, colleague and friend.

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."