Neil Wright
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A Dreame & Fugue Angelicall (1999)

Listen to Neil Wright performing A Dreame & Fugue Angelicall on 7th October 2006 at St Dominic's Priory

A Dreame and Fugue Angelicall is a programmatic impression of the Soul’s journey after death as told by Cardinal Newman in the dramatic poem The Dream of Gerontius. The registrations indicated are to be used as a guide and the player must adapt them according to the resources of the particular instrument, to help emphasise the dramatic character of the piece. Towards the end of the Fugue there is a quote from Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”. Originally entitled Praeludium e Fuga Angelica sopra due sogetti, this piece was first performed in the church of St. André-de-Bayonne, France in August 1999. The relevant extracts from The Dream of Gerontius are given below:

SOUL
...someone has me fast
Within his ample palm...
It is a member of that family
Of wondrous beings, who, ere the worlds were made,
Millions of ages back, have stood around
The throne of God...
And hark! I hear a singing; yet in sooth
I cannot of that music rightly say
Whether I hear or touch or taste the tones.
Oh what a heart-subduing melody!

ANGEL
Thou art not let; but with extremest speed
Art hurrying to the Just and Holy Judge.
But, when some child of grace, angel or saint,
Pure and upright in his integrity
Of nature, meets the demons on their raid,
They scud away as cowards from the fight.
And thou art wrapped and swathed around in dreams,
Dreams that are true, yet enigmatical.

Duration: 7 minutes
Available from: the composer
Price: £7.50