In the first decade of the 20th century, Elgar planned a trilogy of oratorios - The Apostles, The Kingdom and The Last Judgement. Only the first two were completed. Some of the ideas for the third work eventually found their way into the third symphony. The Kingdom deals with, in Elgar's own words, the growth of "the Church in Jerusalem. The men are alive and working and the atmosphere is meant to be direct and simple.
Paul Guinery presents a performance given last month in Leeds Town Hall.