Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Gerald Finzi's "Finzi: Earth and Air and Rain & Other Settings of Thomas Hardy," a timeless collection of vocal works that beautifully intertwines the poetry of Thomas Hardy with Finzi's exquisite musical compositions. Released in 1990 under the Hyperion label, this album spans nearly two hours of captivating performances by renowned artists Martyn Hill, Stephen Varcoe, and Clifford Benson.
The album is a journey through Finzi's most celebrated settings of Hardy's poetry, including the comprehensive song cycle "Earth and Air and Rain," Op. 15, which showcases Finzi's mastery of vocal expression and his deep connection to Hardy's evocative verses. Each track is a testament to Finzi's ability to capture the essence of Hardy's words, transforming them into poignant musical narratives that resonate with listeners.
From the lively and whimsical "Rollicum-Rorum" to the introspective and melancholic "In a Churchyard," the album offers a diverse range of moods and emotions. Finzi's compositions are characterized by their rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and intricate textures, which are brought to life by the skilled performances on this recording.
"Finzi: Earth and Air and Rain & Other Settings of Thomas Hardy" is not just an album; it's an exploration of the human experience as seen through the lens of two artistic giants. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Finzi's music or a newcomer to his work, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression. Dive into the world of Gerald Finzi and discover the enduring beauty of his settings of Thomas Hardy's poetry.
Tracks
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 1, Summer SchemesGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 2, When I Set Out for LyonnesseGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 3, Waiting BothGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 4, The PhantomGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 5, So I Have FaredGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 6, Rollicum-RorumGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 7, To Lizbie BrowneGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 8, The Clock of the YearsGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 9, In a ChurchyardGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 10, Proud SongstersGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 1, Let Me Enjoy the EarthGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 2, In Years DefacedGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 3, The Market-GirlGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 4, I Look into My GlassGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 5, It Never Looks Like Summer HereGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 6, At a Lunar EclipseGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 7, Life Laughs OnwardGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 1, I Need Not GoGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 2, At Middle-Field Gate in FebruaryGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 3, Two LipsGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 4, In Five-Score SummersGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 5, For Life I Had Never Cared GreatlyGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 6, I Said to LoveGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 1, A Young Man's ExhortationGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 2, DittyGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 3, Budmouth DearsGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 4, Her TempleGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 5, The Comet at Yell'hamGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 6, Shortening DaysGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 7, The SighGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 8, Former BeautiesGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 9, TransformationsGerald Finzi, Martyn Hill, Clifford Benson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 10, The Dance ContinuedGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Martyn Hill
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 1, Childhood Among the FernsGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 2, Before and After SummerGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 3, The Self-UnseeingGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 4, Overlooking the RiverGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 5, Channel FiringGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 6, In the Mind's EyeGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 7, The Too Short TimeGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 8, EpeisodiaGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 9, AmabelGerald Finzi, Stephen Varcoe, Clifford Benson
Before and After Summer, Op. 16: No. 10, He Abjures LoveGerald Finzi, Clifford Benson, Stephen Varcoe
Whether you're just starting your vinyl collection or have been spinning for years, the right turntable makes all the difference. We've selected the best options for every budget.
Whether a review is positive, negative, or neutral, we always publish it. However, we screen every review to ensure it is authentic and free of profanity. These checks happen automatically, though a human occasionally steps in. We never pay for reviews.
Looking for "Finzi: Earth and Air and Rain & Other Settings of Thomas Hardy" on vinyl?
We don't have a live price right now, but stock fluctuates daily. You can check for hidden stock on Amazon directly, or let us alert you as soon as it is available.