Sunday 28th March 2010
Elgar - The Apostles
"What's it about"? click to read more...

Buxton Musical Society & Orchestra.
Conductor Michael Williams

The Apostles - Soloists:

Jesus: Marcus Farnsworth
Mary Magdalene: Louise Innes
John: Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks
Judas: Simon Kirkbride
Mary, Blessed Virgin: Claire Seaton
Peter: Jamie Rock

Sunday 28th March 2010.
7.30pm
St. John’s Church, Buxton, Derbyshire.

Sunday 27th Jun 2010
Mozart & Vivaldi

Buy Tickets for our performances either from Buxton Opera House Box office, by telephone, or use our Buy Tickets link on the left, to buy on line (small charge applies for P & P).

The Apostles - Synopsis:

The work is in two parts and seven sections, each played without a break. Words were selected by Elgar from the New Testament and Apocrypha.

1. (Part 1) "The Calling of the Apostles". The music begins just before dawn; the sun rises, and one by one the Apostles are chosen.
2. "By the Wayside". This depicts Jesus' teaching, and particularly evokes the Beatitudes.
3. "By the Sea of Galilee". Crossing the sea is incidental; Mary Magdalene is the focus here. After a stormy night scene, her conversion is portrayed, and the scene moves to Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum. The scene is followed by a choral epilogue, "Turn ye to the stronghold," added late in the composition of the piece.
4. (Part 2) "The Betrayal". Although it follows the Passion narrative, the section is chiefly concerned with the character and motivation of Judas. He is shown as trying to maneuver Jesus so that he is forced to show his divine power and establish his kingdom. The events of the trial and condemnation happen "off-stage", with occasional contributions by the chorus (in the roles of singers in the temple and the mob). In the end Judas gives way to despair.
5. "Golgotha". The scene of the crucifixion is, in Elgar's words, "a mere sketch". Jesus' dying words "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani" are declaimed by the orchestra alone; after which the chorus respond pianissimo, "Truly this was the son of God".
6. "At the Sepulchre". The story of the Resurrection is briefly told by the narrator and a chorus of angels, in a blissful, spring-like interlude.
7. "The Ascension". The miracle is almost incidental; the point is that the Apostles, though here joining in praise with the angels, are about to establish the church on earth. This idea informs the final climax of the work, scored for the full forces of soloists, chorus and orchestra.

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