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Gabrieli’s Elgar: Dream of Gerontius recording nominated for BBC Music Magazine Awards

We are thrilled to announce that Gabrieli’s The Dream of Gerontius 1900 recording has been nominated in the Choral category of the 2025 BBC Music Magazine Awards.  

This recording of Elgar’s much-loved oratorio – our latest release on Signum Records – used original instruments from around the time of its 1900 premiere and features tenor Nicky Spence in the title role. Since its release in April 2024, the recording has won this year’s Gramophone Classical Music (Choral) Award and been named Limelight Magazine’s Vocal Recording of the Year and Classical Winner at the Presto Music Awards 2024. 

The BBC Music Magazine Awards will be selected by the public, and we’d be grateful if you’d lend your voice to our campaign by voting online now! 

Vote now!

Voting closes at 11.59pm on Friday 28 February 2025, so don’t delay, and from all of us at Gabrieli – thank you in advance for your support. 

“I’m thrilled we have been shortlisted for BBCMMA… for our Gerontius recording. It’s a piece I adore, and to make it happen was a huge labour of love for all at Gabrieli. I’m acutely aware of the legacy of great recordings of this totemic and profoundly English work, and it’s an honour to be considered worthy of joining the pantheon.

It was amazing to lead such a formidable team of musicians and tremendous soloists; but most of all I’m glowing with ‘paternal’ pride for the almost a hundred young people who were part of the chorus, one which has been praised as outstanding in every review. Many of our young singers hadn’t had the musical opportunities that the privileged take for granted, and their commitment to this project was so touching. Living proof that we should never doubt the capacity of the next generation to be inspired by great art, if only we give them the chance. To win this award would be such a worthy reflection of their work, and I do hope music lovers will vote for this recording. ” ~ Paul McCreesh

Read more about the album on our website here: Elgar Dream of Gerontius 1900

But don’t just take our word for it – here’s what the critics are saying about Elgar Dream of Gerontius 1900: 

 

“★★★★★ This is unquestionably a great recording of Gerontius, one that every Elgarian should have, and ranks high among the many important projects Gabrieli has so far undertaken in its four decades of existence.” BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

“★★★★★ The period instruments intensify the emotion and textural variety in Elgar’s writing here, and Spence, Stéphany and Foster-Williams are superb in the solo roles. McCreesh steers the ship with unerring focus. Above all the choirs guide the disc to greatness.” THE SUNDAY TIMES

“★★★★★ Inspired by McCreesh and his professional support team, the choral singing is outstanding – fresh voiced, with clear diction and 100 per cent-plus commitment. What a life-changing experience this must have been for these young people. ” GRAMOPHONE, CHOIR & ORGAN