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Soloist Joan Rodgers |
Elgar’s Apostles: a story of vanity, humility and sorrow
PREVIEW: HIGHGATE CHORAL SOCIETY - THE APOSTLES
Barbican
ON receiving the completed manuscript of The Apostles in 1903, Edward Elgar’s music publisher, AJ Jaeger, cautioned that it “will take the British public 10 years” to accept that this is “certainly your maturest and greatest work”.
More than a century later, Highgate Choral Society’s performance on Thursday April 2 at The Barbican is set to prove without doubt that Elgar’s publisher was indeed right – even if his timing was not – and that this masterful work has come of age.
This timely concert, in the run-up to Easter, promises to be stunning. With six acclaimed soloists, the New London Orchestra, and over 180 choral singers of the HCS, this rarely performed oratorio by Elgar is a real treasure.
Based on biblical records of Jesus and his Apostles, Elgar’s interpretation has universal appeal. By giving central roles to the flawed characters of Peter, Mary Magdalene and particularly Judas, Elgar tells a very human story that attracts even the most contemporary audiences, of any faith or none.
Elgar’s apostles were neither extraordinary nor saintly, but their story still inspires today. Peter and Mary Magdalene are redeemed by their humility and faith – but Judas, misled by his own ambition and vanity, is destroyed. Elgar invites the audience to consider the story of Judas with understanding and with pity and sorrow: the ultimate tragedy.
The genius of this immense, fascinating work is that its music transcends the ordinary. Both audience and performers are able to engage with the human drama, and through the music can capture something of the spiritual intensity of the story.
Musical director Ronald Corp will give a free pre-performance talk. It is well worth coming early for these popular and illuminating eventss, which add to the audience’s enjoyment of the evening.
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