Gerald Finzi's "Finzi: Earth and Air and Rain & Other Settings of Thomas Hardy" is a captivating exploration of the poetic works of Thomas Hardy, set to Finzi's enchanting compositions. Released on January 1, 1990, under the Hyperion label, this album is a testament to Finzi's mastery of choral and vocal music, offering a rich and immersive experience that spans nearly two hours.
The album features a diverse collection of songs and choral works, including the entire "Earth and Air and Rain" cycle, Op. 15, which showcases Finzi's ability to capture the essence of Hardy's poetry. Each track is a delicate interplay of words and music, with Finzi's compositions enhancing the emotional depth and narrative power of Hardy's verses.
From the tender and introspective "When I Set Out for Lyonnesse" to the lively and spirited "Rollicum-Rorum," the album offers a wide range of moods and themes. The inclusion of works from "Till Earth Outwears," "I Said to Love," "A Young Man's Exhortation," and "Before and After Summer" further enriches the listening experience, providing a comprehensive overview of Finzi's settings of Hardy's poetry.
Gerald Finzi's nuanced and expressive approach to these settings makes this album a standout in the realm of classical vocal music. Whether you're a long-time admirer of Finzi's work or a newcomer to his compositions, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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
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