David Stewart wrote:

>I bought the Dream of Gerontius as recommended by many of you.  I got the
>Boult recording as I was told it is reliable.  I have listened to it with
>and without the score but I am pretty sure most of it is going over my
>head.  There are bits which I can relate to but I don't think I am quite
>getting the rest. ...

I will put my love for Elgar up there with anyone's, but I now will
confess.  I, too, had trouble with Gerontius.  It took me a very long time,
well after Enigma and the Symphonies, etc.  I'll go even further, that I
didn't take to Elgar until I actually played Enigma in an orchestra.  If
my experience is any indication, this piece will come.

But one question:  Are you put off by the tenor? Think he's too operatic?
If so, try Hickox or Barbirolli, though Hickox may be more appealing right
off.  But if the tenor's not the issue, time should be the solution.

>The other things that were suggested - apostles/kingdom etc.  Am I likely
>to have similar difficulties with those - should I stick to the
>instrumental stuff?

One never knows.  My guess is that The Apostles and The Kingdom would be
tougher going in the beginning, but who knows? If you want to try another
vocal work, try Light of Life.

Roger Hecht