The Kingdom, Op. 51

"Elder's Hallé forces capture the valedictory tone of the music and its quintessential Englishness superbly. Clare Rutter, Susan Bickley, John Hudson and Iain Paterson sing with sublime gentleness and power, while the Hallé Choir have this music in their blood." Sunday Times, 10th October 2010 ****

"Elder clearly believes in every note of this noble edifice and his unforced, coherent conception has a thrilling ring of conviction about it. The soloists comprise a strong team. Iain Paterson is a commandingly articulate St Peter, the ever-versatile Susan Bickley a shiningly powerful Mary Magdalene, and Claire Rutter brings considerable technical acumen and strength of feeling"
(Gramophone Award WINNER 2011 - Choral)

"There are...moments of inwardness and spirituality where the gleam of the cor anglais and Elgar's ever-emotional divided-string writing make their mark"
(BBC Music)

With a text by the composer, and music which is at turns lyrical, mystical and magical, is ecstatic in its glorious choral depiction of the events following Pentecost, when the Apostles began their work for the Church in Jerusalem.

Latest release in Elder and Halle's renowned Elgar series.

Recorded live at sell out Bridgewater Hall concert.

Features leading British soloists who are closely associated with Elder and Halle - expressive range of Elgar's writing for voices in is perhaps its greatest glory.

Previous choral release (CDHLD7520) won Best Choral recording in Classic fm Gramophone Awards 2009.