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'This is the best of me.' So wrote Elgar at the end of his score and, despite a disastrous first performance in 1900, his setting of Newman's poem is now regarded as one of the composer's finest works. In the interval, James Hamilton Paterson, author of the novel Gerontius talks about his fascination with this enigmatic composer . Tonight's concert from the Royal Albert Hall, London, launching the 97th season of Promenade Concerts, is given in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales. With Florence Quivar (mezzo-soprano), Keith Lewis (tenor), Willard White (bass), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Andrew Davis. Introduced by Richard Baker.