"Temple has evidently absorbed much from that scratchy 1930s recording and finds as much of Elgar’s persuasive way with the music – ‘full of colour, energy and pathos’ – as possible; moreover, he also possesses something of a hotline to the drama embedded within the music, producing a powerful account of the score that is always forward moving, never inert."
"Directing his own excellent Crouch End Festival Chorus will certainly have helped, and it is evident from their singing on this album that they would go the ends of the earth for him."
With a first-rate quartet of soloists, an expanded London Mozart Players and authoritative liner notes from 19th- and 20th-century British music expert Jeremy Dibble, this is a release to savour."
Philip Reed, Choir and Organ
“CEFC are one of the country’s leading symphonic choruses – alongside their work in film, games and pop music. Temple gets them to sing with passion and guts, but never at the expense of a very fine sound and the kind of flawless intonation that is hard to achieve with an ensemble of this size.
Temple considers The Kingdom, premiered in 1906, to be ‘Elgar’s best choral work’ and ‘a gem from first note to last’, and this recording is his attempt to convince the rest of us, by scraping away ‘the various layers of varnish that have coated the work over the past century.’
For David Temple, evangelist for the piece, it is mission accomplished.”
Bernard Hughes, The Arts Desk
“This is an exceptional new recording conducted by David Temple and performed by the Crouch End Festival Chorus-one of the UK’s leading symphonic choirs-and the London Mozart Players, with outstanding soloists.”
With a wonderful performance, the expressive voices of the Crouch End Festival Chorus help us reach a clear and pure awareness of this transcendental world.
Its most lyrical passages intertwine with moments of dramatic intensity, creating a vibrant contrast. The work is adorned with a rich and expressive orchestral palette, alternating between glorious splendour and the serenity of deep introspection, tinged with sadness.
David Temple… has once again demonstrated his exceptional qualities with a magnificent and moving performance.”
Marçal Borotau, Sonograma Magazine
“This splendid recording of ‘The Kingdom’ arrives and opens up a whole new world. Here David Temple has brought together a top choir in the Crouch End Festival Chorus, a proficient orchestra in the London Mozart Players, and four first class soloists.”
Stephen Whitehead, Cross Rhythms
“Temple is clearly a huge admirer of the score – ‘a gem from first note to last’, he calls it – and that admiration shines through his performance with the excellent Crouch End Festival Chorus and a fine quartet of soloists.”
Andrew Clements, The Guardian
