Lest We Forget (for soprano, SATB choir, B-flat clarinet and pianoforte, 2015) is an arrangement of a movement from an earlier work*. The premiere performance of the arrangement took place during the year of the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, performed by Polyphonic Voices & Associate Artists, conducted by Michael Fulcher at Christ Church South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The score juxtaposes two texts: “Communio” from the Latin Requiem Mass and the words “Lest we forget”.

Lux aeterna lucea eis, Domine,
Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et
lux perpetua luceat eis cum sanctis tuis in aeternam, quia pius es.

(May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord,
with Thy saints for ever, for Thou art merciful.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and
let perpetual light shine upon them with Thy saints for ever, for Thou art merciful.)

– Latin Requiem: Communio.

Lest we forget.

– Traditional.

Accompanied by intermingling sostenuto choral phrases and twinkling piano tones, the soprano issues forth gently ascending melodic phrases, seeking to evoke the idea of spirits floating gently into the highest heavens. Interjections of a more ominous tone – set to the words “Lest We Forget” – bring the clarinet, piano and choir to the fore and lead the work to a rounded climax, whereafter a brief reprise of the introduction signals the work’s conclusion.

Matthew Orlovich,
Composer.

*Lest We Forget (for soprano, SATB choir, Bb clarinet and pianoforte, 2015) is an arrangement of a movement from Eternity (for massed choirs, organ & orchestra). Eternity was commissioned in 2000 and premiered by the Combined Sydney College Choirs and Orchestra at the “Millennium Concert”, conducted by Ben Macpherson, at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia.

SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2018 (2:30PM)

Performers: The Geelong Chorale, directed by Allister Cox.
Program: “In Remembrance”: A concert to acknowledge the centenary of the WW1 Armistice and to commemorate the sacrifice made by many in all wars. Featuring works by T. Dubois (Messe de la Délivrance), E. Elgar (For the Fallen) and M. Orlovich (Lest We Forget), plus WW1 poetry.
Venue: St Paul’s Anglican Church Latrobe Terrace, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
Tickets: 0407 095 408

 SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2015 ***World premiere performance***

Performers: Polyphonic Voices and Associate Artists, conducted by Michael Fulcher.
Venue: Christ Church South Yarra, Cnr of Punt & Toorak Rd, South Yarra, VIC., Australia.

…The Geelong Chorale, conducted by Allister Cox, then sang Lest We Forget composed this year by Australian Matthew Orlovich. The work is for soprano soloist, choir, clarinet and piano. Fiona Squires’ beautiful soprano soared above the choir and piano, with an ascending scale enunciating the words of the Lux Aeterna from the Requiem Mass. The work is punctuated with the chant Lest we Forget [with] interweaving clarinet and piano lines. The music’s end is marked by an expiration of breath from the choir – like the last gasp of a dying soldier. The talented clarinet soloist was Jess Morris, and the choir’s regular and most accomplished accompanist, Kristine Mellens, was the pianist.

Source:
The Choral Grapevine
A newsletter for choirs in Western Victoria and South Western South Australia.