Royal Festival Hall, 13 February 2014

There was a time, not very long ago, when Gerontius was considered short enough to form the second part of a programme. While this is rarely the case today, there are occasions when this can make some sense and coupling it with Strauss’ Tod und Verklarung is probably one of the most obvious.

Strauss’ tone poem makes the same journey as Gerontius through death to eternity and the comparison is fascinating in performance. More than anything else, Strauss moves us into a world of archetypes and universal spiritual journeys, whereas Elgar and Newman are deeply personal. The Strauss also gave Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra a chance to show off their strengths without the competition of choir and soloists. The combined sound of the orchestra impresses, with the strings particularly strong. Much of the solo wind was positive though some entries were hesitant. This was particularly obvious in quieter or more exposed passages. Trumpets and oboes were very finely focussed and Elizaveta Tyun was a strong leader as well as providing effective and moving solo passages.

The Bach choir were joined by Chetham’s Chamber Choir to make an unusually strong impact in the Elgar. Praise to the Holiest and Go forth were highlights of much very finely controlled choral singing, though the text was often lost even in quieter passages. The soloists were all outstanding. Andrew Staples is surely the finest Gerontius we have at present. The voice is strong, focussed and heroic, yet entirely English in quality and wonderfully sensitive to the text. The gentle fading towards I can no more and the visionary Take me away – so much more than a simple request for removal! – were illuminating. He was joined by the more familiar but ever reliable Roderick Williams, who turned the Parsifal-like phrases of the second part with heartrending emotion. Jennifer Johnston  was new to me but recalled Janet Baker at her finest in the warmth and sensitivity of her singing. David Hill kept his forces well under control and was briskly efficient throughout.