The Dream Of Gerontius was composed in 1900 for the Birmingham Music Festival. It was a large-scale work for chorus soloists and orchestra setting a poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman. The section of the text beginning Praise To The Holiest had already been set and popularised to an Anglican hymn tune but Elgar shunned this version preferring to write his own melody. This has been arranged here for female chorus with Piano accompaniment. Edward Elgar (1857-1934) is one of England’s best-known and most-loved composers. He was self-taught as composer coming from outside the musical and social establishment whichallowed his music to be fresh and unencumbered.

This jubilant new work is a fine festival selection. It can be performed with the 4-hands piano accompaniment or with small orchestra added which also makes it suitable for an any-time concert program.

Among the many works for which Brahms is celebrated his Choral oeuvre is significant. This first Choral work Ave Maria originally written for SSAA and Organ is not mere juvenilia. The flowing 6/8 piece is structured like ashort sonata movement with the two pairs of Voices trading contrapuntal entrances until the parts join their Voices in the pleading ‘Ora pro nobis’ all with Brahmsian harmonies in the accompaniment.Brahms later arranged the workfor SSAA and Orchestra followed by this setting for Chorus and Piano.

Uses: General Music Appreciation ConcertScripture: Psalm 66:4; James 5:13; Psalm 96:1Leaping joyfully from the score this music of unbridled energy calls the world to jubilant praise. Masterfullyamalgamating classic sacred poetry along with words from the Psalms this general use anthem is equally at home in the sanctuary or concert hall. Whether done with piano alone with brass and percussion or with the fullorchestration you will ignite the spirit of song in a bright new way with this amazing composition. Available separately: SATB SSAA StudioTrax CD (Accompaniment Split-Trax Performance) Brass & Percussion parts FullOrchestration CD-ROM (Score & parts for Flute 1&2 (Fl. 2 dbl. Piccolo) Oboe Clarinet 1&2 Bassoon Horn 1&2 Trumpets 1-3 Trombone 1&2 Bass Trombone/Tuba Timpani Percussion 1&2 Harp Piano Violin 1&2 Violin Cello DoubleBass). Duration: ca. 2:39.