This new release presents the oratorio planned to open the trilogy, the lesser known and hitherto rather under-served work The Apostles, in a performance which the Guardian described as being ‘revelatory’. This retelling of Christ's Passion from the viewpoint of His followers features extensive and effective use of and choral writing which is arguably an advance on that of with the work’s closing section – depicting Christ’s Ascension to heaven – thought to be one of the most poignant ever written.

This is the latest release in Mark Elder and Halle’s renowned Elgar series, recorded live at sell out Bridgewater Hall concert.

The performance benefits from extensive research by Mark Elder, including study of a proof copy of the vocal score which he matched with what Elgar himself conducted in 1921, reinstating the semichorus of nine male voices, sung here by an ensemble Elder specially selected from the Royal Northern College of Music.

The recording is probably the first since Elgar conducted The Apostles in Hereford on 7 September 1921, at the Three Choirs Festival, to incorporate Elgar’s intentions at several points in the oratorio. Elgar included a part for a shofar, an ancient Hebrew instrument made of ram’s horn. In most performances this is imitated by modern instruments, but for this recording Sir Mark Elder features a genuine shofar player.

The Apostles features mystic choruses and vivid orchestration, perfectly suited to Hallé forces.

Cast:
- Rebecca Evans (soprano): The Angel Gabriel, The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano): Mary Magdalene, Narrator 2
- Paul Groves (tenor): Narrator 1, John
- Jacques Imbrailo (baritone): Jesus
- David Kempster (baritone): Peter
- Brindley Sherratt (bass): Judas

Chorus of Apostles:
- Sean Boyes (tenor)
- Thomas Kelly (tenor)
- Timothy Langston (tenor)
- Thomas Morss (tenor)
- Adam Player (tenor)
- Stefan Berkiata (bass)
- Matthew Kellett (bass)
- Graham McCusker (bass)
- Daniel Shelvey(bass)

‘It was thrilling to experience the mingling of solos, two or three, or a dozen or so voices, with the Mystic Chorus formed by the massive and resonant Hallé Choir and the fresh-voiced Hallé Youth Choir. The culmination of the work and, indeed, every stage of it, was superbly paced and managed by Elder and his orchestra.’ - The Times

Recorded live at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester