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Although The Dream of Gerontius may be the unlikely star of Bennett's play The Choral, this masterpiece scarcely needs a increase in recognition. Gardner's lively new album is among several issued in the last two years, with an additional one due in January.

Captured live at the 2022 BBC Proms, this energetic reading has a great deal in its favor. Clayton captures the febrile essence of the dying man whose each feeling is both a fear and a intrigue. His heroic tone excites in the magnificent prayer, Holy and Strong, while an expressive use of text illuminates the philosophical dialogue section in Part Two. Barton's luxurious mezzo-soprano possesses a tangible presence as well as offering ample resources of solace. James Platt's rugged bass is well-suited to the angel character.

Gardner is intensely theatrical, conveying the narrative with an almost opera-like boldness. The LPO plays as if a chorus of evil spirits was at its back, paralleled by the combined efforts of the LPO and Hallé choruses. Here and there, the acoustic robs the recording of the final ounce of directness, but overall it's a fine accomplishment to place with Nicholas Collon's arresting from Finland version released earlier this year.