Finzi: Choral Works

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Gerald Finzi's choral works with this captivating album, released in May 1991 under the Chandos label. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 19 minutes, this collection showcases Finzi's mastery of choral composition, featuring a diverse range of pieces that highlight his unique musical voice.

The album opens with the stirring anthems from Op. 27, including "God is gone up" and "Welcome sweet and sacred feast," which demonstrate Finzi's ability to blend traditional hymnody with modern harmonic language. The Three Short Elegies, Op. 5, offer a more introspective look at Finzi's compositional style, with texts that explore themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

Finzi's setting of the biblical text "Let us now praise famous men," Op. 35, is a standout piece on the album, showcasing the composer's ability to create powerful, evocative music from ancient texts. The Seven Poems of Robert Bridges, Op. 17, provide a more lyrical and introspective contrast, with settings of poetry that explore themes of love, nature, and the passage of time.

The album also includes several standalone works, such as the tender "Thou didst delight my eyes," Op. 32, and the exuberant "Haste on, my joys!" from the Seven Poems of Robert Bridges cycle. The Magnificat, Op. 36, and the White-flowering days, Op. 37, showcase Finzi's ability to create large-scale choral works that are both musically sophisticated and emotionally resonant.

Throughout the album, the Finzi Singers, conducted by Paul Spicer, deliver performances that are both technically impressive and deeply expressive. The baritone Stephen Varcoe provides a rich, resonant voice that complements the choral writing beautifully.

This album is a testament to Gerald Finzi's enduring legacy as one of England's most respected composers of choral music. Whether you are a longtime fan of Finzi's music or a newcomer to his work, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.