Search - Gerald Finzi, Harry Bicket :: Gerald Finzi: Choral Works

Loving performances of a distinctive composer

Mark Swinton | 11/27/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With this disc, Chandos provides a decent introduction to the lyrical and sometimes quirky choral music of Gerald Finzi. As might be expected, The Finzi Singers produce loving renditions of works great and small, in which a good balance of sacred and secular texts (some by renowned poets) is created. The unaccompanied works speak very much for themselves, and when the organ appears it is finely played. Not everyone will find the disc to their taste- for a twentieth century composer, Finzi seems more at home writing in the style of the partsongs of the previous century and this leads to some works sounding pedestrian or uninteresting. Then again, some works can take you by surprise, especially the concluding track, "Lo, the full final sacrifice", in which the intensity, languidity, joy and sadness of all the previous tracks seem to be brought together in an astounding single piece. The performances are generally faultless. I believe this disc would make a fine Christmas gift- for lovers of choral music in particular."

Distinctive and moving

Edwin J. Firmage | SLC, UT USA | 03/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The highlight of this wonderful disc is the recording of Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice, which is heard less often than Finzi's shorter, better known songs such as My Spirit Sang All Day or Clear and Gentle Stream. But this is perhaps his masterpiece. Certainly it's among my favorite choral pieces, and on my short list for desert island music of any genre. The Finzi Singers are, as always, superb."

Exceptionally moving and spiritual compositions, performance

Michael E. Deak | Gig Harbor, WA USA | 11/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why is it that some people feel that to be current in musical appreciation--knowledgeable in the work of the cutting edge--one has to give up intimacy, the soulfully lyric introspective music of the middle years of the 20th century? Why does the ugliness of "music concrete", of serialism, and minimalism hold more validity than "Intimations Of Immortality" or these choral works? I am a composer; I have-- over my 42 years of writing-- composed my share of experimental work, but after that period of being a L'enfante Terribe, I have come back to the sensuousness of clustered harmony and the ecstasy of soaring melody. These works of Finzi are filled with a real passion and love for all that is beautiful and spiritually uplifting. There is an achingly intense lovliness to such works as , "Lo, the Full and Final Sacrifice"...particularly the final Amen. The a capella works display such a great gift for counter-point, and a marvelous knowledge of 17th century prose and poetry. Finzi has wedded music and text in a very subtle way; his understanding of this melding of music and verse is greater than many of his contemporaries. If you as listeners appreciate the achingly beautiful lines of melody combined with lush harmony in a personally intimate expression-- undergirded with spiritual intensity--it is my humble belief that you will love this recording. Put aside the amateurishness of Phillip Glass, and embrace this music from a deep lyrical composer-Gerald Finzi."