I just bought this piece.

HOW are its praises not sung (excuse the pun) more oftwn? It is a fantastic
piece.  Unlike so much of Elgar's less popular work that I have heard (e.g.
Light of Life, Black Knight etc.) this has actually got a text which works
in a choral setting.  I can understand that non-English people might not
appreciate the content of the text too much - it is extremely
nationalistic.  In the same way I don't think I would want to hear a
Russian/German/American/etc piece obviously patting its country on the
back, but if you are willing to hear the import of the words without the
exact sentiment, I am sure you would enjoy it.

Choral writing is as expected brilliant (late romantics really know what
they are doing don't they!) And there is the typical Wagner-inspired
thematic cohesion.  Some really fabulous orchestration - I think I heard
timps doubled by the choir's basses!

David Stewart
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