The Augmented Station Orchestra, conducted by Warwick Braithwaite

The Prelude to the Oratorio gives an epitome of the work. In it the leading themes associated with the chief emotional events are presented. The succession of the chief of these is as follows: first the theme of Judgment; then that of Fear, in muted Strings, quickly vanishing, to be followed by the Prayer theme (Woodwind). Some repetition brings us to a change of time (three in a bar), and to the Sleep motif (Viola and Horn, to an undulating accompaniment). A climax is made at a theme associated with the words of the dying man, 'O Jesu, help; pray for me, Mary!' (Cor Anglais and 'Cellos, to a trembling accompaniment). After a little, the Committal theme comes in, more gently, and is repeated, in bolder style. Some repetition of certain of these themes follows, and that of Judgment, which opened the Prelude, concludes it.
Here, in the orchestral piece we are to hear, is added an arrangement of the Angel's Farewell to the Soul of Gerontius, that begins with the words:-
Softly and gently, dearly ransomed soul,
In my most loving arms I now enfold thee.

Dorothy Greene (Soprano) and Orchestra