Sir Andrew Davis, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus, the BBC National Chorus of Wales

Elgar’s The Kingdom

On possibly the hottest day of the year the new season was launched in quintessentially English style with Elgar’s The Kingdom. If the forces and soloists were familiar, there was a new sense of joy and often of gentleness to this reading which was captivating throughout. Frequently looking back to The Apostles, there was a sense of conviction which comes from a depth of faith and certainty, not from passion and extrovert enthusiasm. The prelude brought a gentle hesitation which blossomed into the opening scene at the heart of which was Peter’s blessed it, and brake, and gave it to us, the phrase held lovingly, almost timelessly. This same sense continued into the scene for the two Marys on the morn of Pentecost where the hints of Flower Maidens are turned into the more refined worship of the temple. There were times when the combined BBC Symphony Chorus, the BBC National Chorus of Wales came into dynamic full flood, effective in the outpouring of He, who walketh upon the wings of the wind, and controlled crescendo of There shall be a fountain opened.

The soloists were well contrasted. Catherine Wyn-Rogers may be a familiar Mary Magdalene but over the years she has made the part her own and there is still no better voice for the part. Erin Wall brought radiance to Mary’s The sun goeth down and highlighted the many subtle shifts of mood. Christopher Purves sounded slightly husky as Peter but the voice did not let him down. Andrew Staples brought a heady, Wagnerian authority to John, easily riding the full orchestra.

As this review indicates, Sir Andrew Davis knows this work from years of conducting it, yet still brings a sense of freshness and excitement as if he were conducting it for the first time.

If the rest of the season is as good as this we are in for a vintage year.

Sir Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus, the BBC National Chorus of Wales and soloists in Elgar’s The Kingdom