Groeschel, cfr john henry cardinal newmans renowned poem describes the death of an old man and the journey of his soul to the judgment seat of god. And through such waning span of life and thought as still has to be trod, prepare to meet thy god. Newmans epic poem the dream of gerontius appeared in 1865 and found great favour even in noncatholic circles. Apr 11, 2017 with these concerns in mind, its well, stunning that he ultimately landed setting the dream of gerontius cardinal newmans poem is long, dense, and filled with extensive meditative passages, meaning it needed significant pruning to put it into a dramatic framework.
That integration, i suggest, can be read in the dream of gerontius, a narrative poem written in 1865 about the progress of a soul from death to salvation. Newman s masterpiece continues to be performed to this day. Theological themes in newman s dream of gerontius 4 the ecclesiology reflected in the dream of gerontius is based on the common end of the church. Elgars the dream of gerontius rising from the ashes. Click here for some past perfomances the elgar society has several excellent pages dedicated to the dream of gerontius. It relates the journey of a pious mans soul from his deathbed to his. John henry newman not only had a vivid sense of that world, a. The dream of gerontius christian classics ethereal. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit.
Although the dream of gerontius is held in high esteem in england, it is less frequently performed in the united states. The selfish interests of individuals are replaced by the churchs interest, the salvation of each one of its members. The dream of gerontius is an 1865 poem written by st john henry newman consisting of the prayer of a dying man, and angelic and demonic responses. It relates the journey of a pious mans soul from his deathbed to his judgment before god and settling into purgatory. Magdalena kozena mezzosoprano toby spence tenor roderick williams baritone bbc proms youth choir vienna philharmonic orchestra sir simon rattle conductor.
Such is the popularity today of elgars oratorio that it is easy to overlook the fact that newman s poem, which elgar took as the basis of his libretto, had experienced remarkable. Nov 04, 2011 the dream of gerontius by john henry newman, 1909, longmans, green edition, in english. But at its first performance in birmingham, 105 years ago, the music was. The poem was first performed in 1900 by the english composer, edward elgar. It had been translated into french and german and was reprinted during newmans lifetime. A priest goes to the bed of the dying gerontius, along with fellow christians, to pray for their brother.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. It had been translated into french and german and was reprinted during newman s lifetime. Newmans poem had been published in 1865 and elgar was familiar with it already but now he had his own. The dream of gerontius by cardinal newman book condition. Such is the popularity today of elgars oratorio that it is easy to overlook the fact that newmans poem, which elgar took as the basis of his libretto, had experienced remarkable success in its own right long before elgar turned his serious attention to it. The dream of gerontius, first published in 1865, is cardinal newmans epic poem describing the descent of gerontius, an everyman character, into death and purgatory. John henry newman cardinal newman 18011890 language english dedication amdg ad majorem dei gloriam.
Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Project gutenberg 58, free ebooks 16 by john henry newman. Because of its masterful portrayal of a persons confrontation with death, the dream of geronitus transcends its catholic roots and appeals to readers of all cultures and faiths. Editions of the dream of gerontius by john henry newman. Full text of the dream of gerontius see other formats j c. The failure of the premiere was regrettable, of course, but not inexplicable. The project gutenberg ebook of the dream of gerontius, by john henry newman this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the united states and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Gerontius rouse thee, my fainting soul, and play the man. Cardinal newman s dream of gerontius as a revelation of the destiny of the human person fr thomas norris the creed of christians includes the statement, i look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. As choral music specialists we stock all editions of elgars dream of gerontius, and. From the dream of gerontius by john henry, cardinal newman.
Her first solo is magical, creating a feeling of exultation with the simplest musical means. The dream of gerontius simple english wikipedia, the free. Nov 28, 2012 open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Jesu, maria i am near to death, and thou art calling me. The dream of gerontius simple english wikipedia, the. Newman foldoutcount 0 identifier a59973newmuoft identifierark. Elgar, who was also a catholic, set the poem as a commission for the birmingham festival in 1900. Nevertheless, he wrote a very great poem, the dream of gerontius a poem which. Newman wrote the dream of gerontius later in his life as he was beginning to contemplate his final end.
The dream of gerontius, conclusion saint cardinal john. The dream of gerontius cardinal john henry newman, maurice. On 8 may 1889 edward elgar married alice roberts at brompton oratory. Edward elgar set newman s dramatic poem to music as an oratorio in this oratorio, in fact. The dream of gerontius, first published in 1865, is cardinal newman s epic poem describing the descent of gerontius, an everyman character, into death and purgatory. Oct 01, 2007 the dream of gerontius, first published in 1865, is cardinal newman s epic poem describing the descent of gerontius, an everyman character, into death and purgatory. From the start newman will depict the important catholic belief of the communion of saints, which includes christians on earth, the.
It is, quite simply, one of the greatest spiritual dramas ever written. The dream of gerontius the complete text classic fm. Edward elgar set newman s dramatic poem to music as an oratorio in 1900. The theological themes in newmans dream of gerontius. They converse in an extended duet, again combining recitative with pure. The poem opens with the old mans realization that his time has come. Today, elgars the dream of gerontius is a national monument. One challenge is the technical complexity of the work. From the dream of gerontius by john henry, cardinal. Like dantes works, newmans poem does not sacrifice narrative suspense and ingenuity for depth of thought, instead retaining both. Though we have made best efforts the books may have occasional errors that do not. From the start newman will depict the important catholic belief of the communion of saints, which includes christians on earth, the angels and saints in heaven, and the souls in purgatory.
Refund policy, no drm protection and pricing is per second. In the autograph score, elgar wrote the work represented the best of me, and countless listeners have agreed with him. The dream of gerontius the complete text follow the text of edward elgars the dream of gerontius, to text from the poem by cardinal john henry newman. Newmans poem, the angel is male, but elgar gives the role to a mezzosoprano. This is a pre1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Cardinal newman s poem the dream of gerontius was a wellknown and muchloved work in its own right by the time elgar came to set it to music in 1900. The best of me a gerontius centenary companion written by geoffrey hodgkins is an comprehensive account of the composition and performance history of the work. First published in 1865, it quickly became a bestseller in its field. This magnificent poem follows gerontius from his earthly end to his introduction before the heavenly host. They converse in an extended duet, again combining recitative with pure sung sections. Not by the token of this faltering breath, this chill at heart, this dampness on my brow.
Cardinal newmans poem the dream of gerontius was a wellknown and muchloved work in its own right by the time elgar came to set it to music in 1900. Eric john yonke university ofwisconsinstevens point elgar, newman and the dream of gerontius. The dream of gerontius the poem has been soaking in my mind for at least eight years, elgar told a newspaper reporter during the summer of 1900, just weeks before the premiere of the dream of gerontius in birmingham. The epic work is based on a poem by john henry newman and the performance is part of the southbank centres summertime festival. In the first decade after its premiere, the roman catholic dogma in newmans. Elgars setting of cardinal newmans poem, describing the journey of a mans soul to. Here they patiently abide, and soothing sounds blend with the neighboring. This document has been generated from xsl extensible. The project gutenberg ebook of the dream of gerontius, by. By his own admission, elgar had been considering setting newman s poem for at least eight years, and alices diary for september 1899 records that, in the margins of a three choirs concert, e. Click here for forthcoming performances of the dream of gerontius in the uk. This oratorio, in fact, became the most popular choral work in britain after handels messiah. The dream of gerontius is a different matter, an ambitious work whose central dialogue, between a. Newman foldoutcount 0 identifier a59973newmuoft identifierark ark.
The dream of gerontius is a large musical work for choir, three solo singers and orchestra composed by edward elgar. Among the wedding presents he received was a copy of the poem, the dream of gerontius by john, cardinal newman 18011890, which was given to him by the parish priest of the catholic church in worcester where elgar had been the organist. Elgar received a copy in 1889, probably as a wedding present, although he had first read the poem much earlier and for many years pondered how. Edward elgars the dream of gerontius digital concert hall. Elgar his music the dream of gerontius the libretto. Yet, this is primarily a study of german cathoucism in which baden and wurttemberg necessarily feu into the background. The dream of gerontius by john henry newman, 1909, longmans, green edition, in english. Mind and character between sardinia and corsica, and the dream of gerontius 1865, based upon the requiem offices and including such wellknown hymns as praise to the holiest in the height and firmly i believe and truly. Movementssections movtssecs, movements in 2 parts. It is usually thought of as the best choral work elgar ever wrote. Edward elgars the dream of gerontius is frequently regarded as his masterpiecea towering oratorio noted for its complex score and profound religious message.
The poem, written after newman s conversion from anglicanism to roman catholicism, explores his new catholicheld beliefs of the journey from death through paradise to god and thence to purgatory. Full text of the dream of gerontius internet archive. Theological themes in newmans dream of gerontius 4 the ecclesiology reflected in the dream of gerontius is based on the common end of the church. By his own admission, elgar had been considering setting newmans poem for at least eight years, and alices diary for september 1899 records that, in the margins of a three choirs concert, e. Ubc symphony orchestra, university singers, ubc choral union. He was always conscious of the limitations of prose and aware of the.
Why are none of these comments addressing the pronunciation of gerontius by cardinal newman. It achieved further notoriety when general gordon died at khartoum leaving behind a copy with personal annotations that were then copied by admirers. Groeschel, cfr john henry cardinal newman s renowned poem describes the death of an old man and the journey of his soul to the judgment seat of god. Those eight years were crucial to elgars development as a composer.
Not by the token of this faltering breath, this chill at heart, this dampness on my. Other articles where the dream of gerontius is discussed. Follow the text of edward elgars the dream of gerontius, to text from the poem by cardinal john henry newman. It opens with a priest and assistants imploring mercy, growing more and more frenzied until, abruptly, there is a sudden break into peacefulness. He was always conscious of the limitations of prose and aware of the necessity for parable. Cardinal newmans dream of gerontius as a revelation of the destiny of the human person fr thomas norris the creed of christians includes the statement, i look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
The dream of gerontius by john henry newman free ebook. The selfish interests of individuals are replaced by the churchs interest, the salvation of. Elgar was inspired to write the music but used the poem of cardinal newman. And while the storm of that bewilderment is for a season spent, and, ere afresh the ruin on me fall, use well the interval.