Dr. Matthew Lewis, Artistic Director of St. George's Choral Society (SGCS), looked to England for this fall's concert programming, finding gems from three well-known composers.

Laura Daly: Matthew, the theme of this concert, "From Across the Pond," is appropriate as Holst, Elgar and Britten are connected by their shared commitment to shaping and elevating British music, their mastery of orchestration and choral writing, their exploration of profound spiritual and philosophical themes, and their influence on future generations of composers and musicians. What inspired you to select this theme?

Matthew Lewis: The music! It's funny, because there are often things that group pieces together, but it usually ends up being about the music. These are wonderful works, and I love them; I believe they make a solid program that will be rewarding to singers and audience.

LD: Holst's Short Festival Te Deum is only about 4-5 minutes. What sets it apart from other Te Deum settings? Compared to other settings of the Te Deum by composers like Haydn or Bruckner, Holst's Short Festival Te Deum is performed less frequently in concert settings, particularly outside of the UK. I know St. George's Choral Society has a reputation for including lesser-known or contemporary works in their repertoire, to the delight of both the singers and audiences. What made you select this piece?

ML: It's one of the first big pieces I sang as a young chorister. I've always thought it very grand and exciting, as only Holst can do. It's thrilling, expressive, sensitive to the text -- everything all in one piece. I also think it's a dynamic start to a concert program. I haven't really thought about it being obscure -- in this case it doesn't matter to me. It's just a wonderful piece!

LD: Written in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Britten's Choral Dances from Gloriana is part of his opera, Gloriana, about Queen Elizabeth I's relationship with the Earl of Essex. This music has had greater success than that relationship! Even though the story takes place in the Elizabethan Age, how does Britten evoke an historical atmosphere while infusing it with his modern sensibilities?

ML: As only Britten can do, yes, indeed. The music has some ancient qualities while in a modern vocabulary. The movements are unaccompanied and will be sung by a smaller, chamber choir within SGCS. They make an amazing set, full of contrasts and complements. Britten loves to do clever things with rhythm, harmony and melody; this set is Britten at his finest. And challenging for the singers!

LD: Elgar's The Music Makers is another work rare to experience outside the UK. It sets to music the poem Ode by Arthur O'Shaughnessy, which celebrates the role of artists, poets and musicians as the creators of culture and the "dreamers of dreams." Why will your singers and your audience find this piece rewarding?

ML: This piece is very special to singers, considering the text. It becomes a personal experience to learn and perform this piece and I am so looking forward to going through it in the coming weeks and months. Elgar was a very successful composer of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra, including Sea Pictures and The Dream of Gerontius. This piece does not seem to be performed as often as they are, and I don't know why. It is a substantial work for symphonic (large) chorus and contralto solo, very satisfying to sing and to hear.

LD: Let us talk about SGCS. You will be holding auditions from 6 to 7 PM on September 4 and 11. What do you want to say to those considering joining the group?

ML: I would encourage people to give us a try! Auditions aren't stressful or intimidating -- I really just need to hear the person's voice to make sure they are properly placed in the section that is right for them. Our members are from many diverse backgrounds, professions and ages; we all come together toward a common goal of making music present in our lives, and this is truly wonderful.

LD: Matthew, thank you! Looking forward to the concert.

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Rehearsals take place from 7 to 9 PM at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, 246 East 15th Street, New York, NY on Wednesdays beginning September 4. The concert is scheduled for November 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM at the Church of the Holy Apostles, 269 9th Avenue. To learn more about SGCS, please visit www.stgeorgeschoralsociety.org/.