Performance on 3

Elgar 150th anniversary

The Apostles

Sunday 3 June 2007 18:30-21:00 (Radio 3)

As Radio 3 celebrates Elgar's 150th anniversary, Tom Service and Anthony Payne introduce a concert recorded in Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

Elgar devoted the best years of his career to one tremendous project: setting the entire New Testament to music. Conductor Sakari Oramo continues the celebrations with The Apostles, the first part of Elgar's epic, but incomplete, New Testament Trilogy. Premiered in Birmingham in 1903, the sweeping spiritual drama set in the days of the early Church is filled with some of Elgar's noblest and most deeply-felt music.

Duration:

2 hours 30 minutes

Programme note and synopsis

Read the programme note on The Apostles
Read the synopsis of The Apostles
Visit the Elgar mini-site

Playlist:

Mary ...... Claire Rutter (soprano)
Mary Magdalene ...... Jane Irwin (mezzo-soprano)
St John ...... John Daszak (tenor)
St Peter ...... Clive Bayley (bass)
Jesus ...... Stephen Gadd (baritone)
Judas ...... James Rutherford (baritone)
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Elgar: The Apostles

Performance on 3

Episode and Playlist Information

• Elgar 150th anniversary
  • 1 Jun 06 Philharmonia
  • 2 Jun 07The Dream of Gerontius
  • The Apostles
  • 4 Jun 07 The Kingdom
  • 5 Jun 07 Vln Cncto, Sym. No2