‘Tonight’s performance, given in celebration of Ex Cathedra’s 40th birthday, was a real attempt at performing this work as it might have been heard in Elgar’s lifetime, and, more importantly, how it might have sounded at the first performance. The first thing which was noticeable about it was just how good Jeffrey Skidmore is as an orchestral conductor… His conducting was spot on, direct and to the point, giving clear leads where necessary, and with little in the way of flowery gestures. Everyone responded well to his leadership… Skidmore’s chorus, Ex Cathedra, was magnificent… This was a fine performance of Gerontius, revealing in all that we heard: and how very well we heard it.’

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