What is The Dream of Gerontius?
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, is a work for voices and orchestra in two parts composed by Edward Elgar in 1900, to text from the poem by Saint John Henry Newman. It relates the journey of a pious man’s soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and settling into Purgatory.
Is the Dream of Gerontius an oratorio?
oratorio. oratorio is Sir Edward Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius (1900). The poem by Cardinal Newman on which it is based has a dramatic framework within which the music could expand without becoming disorderly. Igor Stravinsky’s opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex (1927), with a Latin text, was most successful in the opera house.
Who is Gerontius?
The piece follows an “everyman” character (the word “Gerontius” come from the Greek for “old man”) as he faces death, meets his guardian Angel and goes before his God before being taken to Purgatory with the promise of everlasting glory. No wonder it’s one of the most epic works ever written.
How do you pronounce Gerontius?
- Phonetic spelling of Gerontius. ge-ron-tius. Geron-tius.
- Meanings for Gerontius.
- Examples of in a sentence.
- Translations of Gerontius. Russian : Геронтий
Who composed Dream of Gerontius?
Edward Elgar
The Dream of Gerontius/Composers
Who composed the Enigma Variations?
Enigma Variations/Composers
Here’s a musical riddle that has kept people guessing for over a century. English composer Edward Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme, (‘Enigma’) op. 36 is one of England’s most beloved musical works. It’s commonly known as the Enigma Variations.
How many symphonies Elgar wrote?
two symphonies
Sir Edward William Elgar (1857–1934) was an English composer, among whose best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies.
What is the meaning of Gerontius?
old man
The central character, Gerontius (the name derives from the Ancient Greek gero¯n, meaning simply ‘old man’), prays for assistance to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to other saints, and after his soul-searing first sight of God, he doesn’t go straight to Heaven, but is committed to Purgatory for purification.
What is Enigma Variations based on?
Elgar theme
The whole piece is based on this “Elgar theme”, in which the Beethoven theme is hidden (and so the latter “goes through and over the whole set, but is not played”). Dora Penny could not solve the enigma. Elgar had expected she would: “I’m surprised.
What is Elgar’s most famous piece?
the Enigma Variations
Elgar’s best works include the Enigma Variations, The Dream Of Gerontius, the Pomp and Circumstances Marches, concertos for violin and cello and two symphonies.
What is Elgars full name?
Sir Edward William Elgar
Edward Elgar/Full name
Sir Edward Elgar, in full Sir Edward William Elgar, (born June 2, 1857, Broadheath, Worcestershire, England—died February 23, 1934, Worcester, Worcestershire), English composer whose works in the orchestral idiom of late 19th-century Romanticism—characterized by bold tunes, striking colour effects, and mastery of large …
Who is the author of the dream of Gerontius?
Whatever Newman’s inspiration, “The Dream of Gerontius” remains one of the pivotal works on death and the soul of the Victorian era and one of Newman’s most famous works. The Dream of Gerontius, a composition by Edward Elgar as a setting of the poem.
What are the phases of the dream of Gerontius?
The poem is divided into seven phases the first detailing Gerontius’s final minutes in this world with the later phases illustrating his journey through the courts of Heaven. Gerontius is a dying man, who on his death bed in his final moments prays to Jesus and Mary for protection and receives the last sacraments.
Why was Elgar upset about the dream of Gerontius?
The choir could not sing the music adequately, and two of the three soloists were in poor voice. Elgar was deeply upset at the debacle, telling Jaeger, “I have allowed my heart to open once – it is now shut against every religious feeling & every soft, gentle impulse for ever.”
Why does Gerontius have a sense of Joy?
Gerontius also asks the Angel why he no longer fears meeting God, and instead, feels a sense of joy in their potential encounter. The Angel tells the soul that its sense of joy is a recompense proceeding from God to keep it in faith and hope while it passes through the coming demonic temptations.