A Passion? It would certainly be an obvious choice at this time in the Christian year. But instead Oxford Harmonic Society decided on Elgar's mighty Dream of Gerontius for its Eastertide concert. Yet the chosen work was appropriate - Elgar's setting of John Henry Newman's poem presents a vision of a just soul leaving the body at death.

Gerontius is a work for three soloists and chorus - appearing as both angels and demons, the chorus is given a splendidly split personality. And demons had struck at this performance: the advertised bass soloist was unwell, so Daniel Grice made his maiden appearance in the role with just 24 hours' notice, and a very creditable shot he made at it too. He has a warm voice, which was a pleasure to listen to, as was the mezzo soloist, Janet Shell. I shall long remember her delivery of "Thou hast forestalled the agony, and so for thee bitterness of death is passed".

The lion's share of the solo work is given to the tenor, who narrates the story. "Jesu, Maria - I am near to death", he begins, accompanied by ominous taps on the drums. Christopher Lemmings was also suffering from a bug, but nonetheless he displayed a masterly technique as he phrased and delivered the verse. Sometimes he was truly chilling too: in "I go before my Judge . . ." for instance. The line is answered, very softly, by the chorus: "Be merciful, be gracious; spare him, Lord". For me, this exchange was one of the highlights of the performance. Oxford Harmonic produced some real bite when at full volume too: "Ha! Ha!" snapped the Demons nastily at one point.

Gerontius is a choral challenge, and some moments weren't ideally focused, suggesting a few nerves here and there. But, under the direction of Robert Secret and with excellent support from the Orchestra of Stowe Opera, OHS delivered a vibrant, and very worthwhile, performance of Elgar's masterpiece.