Introducing the Elgar Sinfonia Summer 2026 Concert.

The collaboration of the Elgar Sinfonia and The London Chorus under Adrian Brown has produced some memorable concert performances of rarely heard British Compositions.

This June our concert explores a work, a masterpiece, by Gerald Finzi, his setting of the Wordsworth Poem ‘Intimations of Immortality’ for tenor solo, chorus and full orchestra. It is often said that very great, at times loquacious poetry doesn’t lend itself to choral writing but Finzi in his entire career was a master of setting texts. This beautiful work delves into, illustrates and illuminates every aspect of Wordsworth masterpiece with consummate skill. Nick Allen, our lyrical tenor, has much experience in putting over with vocal skill such profound words.

The Concert will begin with what will really turn out to be a miniature Elgar Symphony! The Organ Sonata, a fairly early work in the Elgar canon is a classically structured work showing great mastery of form. Gordon Jacob was a master craftsman with his use of orchestra and he worked on this with devotion producing such an interesting orchestral work in four movements. Jacob you will have heard more regularly than you might think! It is his fanfare that is most commonly played before the national Anthem on most State Occasions. The sonata has an especially poignant slow movement so very much in the deep melancholic vein of Elgar we know and love.

Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’ are often performed certainly at the expense of the selection we present here of some six songs he orchestrated from the copious number he composed throughout his life.

Our soloist is the wonderful Emily Gray, a mezzo soprano in the long line of tradition from Ferrier and Dame Janet Baker. Her rich vibrant voice will fill these songs with meaning and love and fill you with pleasure and a spirituality which can be found at our much-loved moving concerts in St Andrew’s, Holborn, London.

Do support us and have a rare music moment; explore perhaps the unknown and be enriched by musical discoveries unheard! See you there where our friendly way of introducing the music will be part of a happy afternoon.

Adrian Brown MD