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Prom 58 - Mendelssohn's Elijah

Penny Gore presents a Prom in which Paul McCreesh conducts the Gabrieli Consort and Players, guest choirs and leading soloists in Mendelssohn's choral masterpiece Elijah.

With Penny Gore

Mendelssohn's oratorio on the Biblical story of the prophet Elijah has been a favourite with English audiences for over 150 years. Conductor Paul McCreesh breathes new life into it in this performance with period instruments, a raft of enthusiastic choirs and a starry line-up of soloists.

Mendelssohn wrote Elijah for the 1846 Birmingham Festival and clearly set out to create a work in the tradition of his revered Baroque predecessors, Bach and Handel. Opinions have differed as to whether he succeeded, with some people finding Elijah full of Victorian sentimentality. Given Paul McCreesh's track record in earlier music, this is the perfect opportunity to hear the work afresh, free of accrued conventions.

Mendelssohn: Elijah

Rosemary Joshua (soprano)
Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
Robert Murray (tenor)
Simon Keenlyside (baritone)

Taplow Youth Choir
Ulster Youth Chamber Choir
Chetham's Chamber Choir
North East Youth Chorale
Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir
Gabrieli Consort & Players
Paul McCreesh (conductor).

2 hours, 15 minutes

Music Played

  • Prom 58 - Mendelssohn's Elijah

    • Felix Mendelssohn

      Elijah

      Performer: Rosemary Joshua (soprano). Performer: Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano). Performer: Robert Murray (tenor). Performer: Simon Keenlyside (baritone). Performer: Taplow Youth Choir. Performer: Ulster Youth Chamber Choir. Performer: Chetham's Chamber Choir. Performer: North East Youth Chorale. Performer: Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir. Orchestra: Gabrieli Consort & Players. Conductor: Paul McCreesh

Broadcast

  • Tue 30 Aug 2011 14:30