Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Gerald Finzi's "Finzi: Vocal Works," a captivating collection of vocal compositions that showcase the composer's unique blend of lyrical beauty and emotional depth. Released on October 1, 2007, under the Lyrita label, this album spans nearly two hours of exquisite music, divided into three distinct song cycles: "Before & After Summer," "Till Earth Outwears," and "I Said to Love," along with standalone pieces from "A Young Man's Exhortation" and "Earth and Air and Rain."
Finzi, a prominent figure in 20th-century English music, is renowned for his ability to transform poetic texts into deeply expressive musical narratives. This album is no exception, featuring settings of poems by Thomas Hardy, Robert Bridges, and other notable poets. Each song is a miniature masterpiece, revealing Finzi's keen sensitivity to the nuances of language and his gift for creating evocative, atmospheric soundscapes.
The album opens with "Before & After Summer," a cycle that explores the fleeting nature of time and the bittersweet passage of youth. Finzi's melodic lines are both tender and yearning, reflecting the poems' themes of nostalgia and longing. "Till Earth Outwears" follows, delving into the complexities of human experience, from the joy of simple pleasures to the inevitability of aging and loss. The cycle culminates in the haunting "At a Lunar Eclipse," a powerful meditation on mortality.
The final cycle, "I Said to Love," is a celebration of love and nature, filled with vivid imagery and lyrical charm. Standalone pieces like "A Young Man's Exhortation" and "Earth and Air and Rain" further showcase Finzi's versatility, ranging from exuberant and playful to introspective and melancholic.
Performances on this album are equally compelling, with renowned artists bringing Finzi's music to life with passion and precision. The result is a recording that is both a testament to Finzi's enduring genius and a delight for any lover of vocal music. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Finzi or a newcomer to his work, "Finzi: Vocal Works" is an essential addition to your collection, offering a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Tracks
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 1, Childhood Among the FernsGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 2, Before & SummerGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 3, The Self-unseeingGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 4, Overlooking the RiverGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summerr, Op. 16: No. 5, Channel FiringGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 6, In the Mind's EyeGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 7, The Too Short TimeGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 8, EpeisodiaGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 9, AmabelGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Before & After Summer, Op. 16: No. 10, He Abjures LoveGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 1, Let Me Enjoy the EarthGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 2, In Years DefacedGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 3, The Market GirlGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 4, I Look into My GlassGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 5, It Never Looks like Summer HereGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 6, At a Lunar EclipseGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a: No. 7, Life Laughs OnwardsGerald Finzi, Robert Tear, Howard Ferguson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 1, I Need Not GoGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 2, At Middle-Field Gate in FebruaryGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 3, Two LipsGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 4, In Five-score Summers (Meditation)Gerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 5, For Life I Had Never Cared GreatlyGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
I Said to Love, Op. 19b: No. 6, I Said to LoveGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 1, A Young Man's ExhortationGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 2, DittyGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 3, Budmouth DearsGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 4, Her TempleGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 5, The Comet at Yell'hamGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 6, Shortening DaysGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 7, The SighGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 8, Former BeautiesGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 9, TransformationsGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
A Young Man's Exhortation, Op. 14: No. 10, The Dance ContinuedGerald Finzi, Neil Jenkins, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 1, Summer SchemesGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 2, When I Set Out for LyonesseGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 3, Waiting BothGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 4, The PhantomGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 5, So I Have FaredGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 6, Rollicum-RorumGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 7, To Lizbie BrowneGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 8, The Clock of the YearsGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 9, In a ChurchyardGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
Earth and Air and Rain, Op. 15: No. 10, Proud SongstersGerald Finzi, John Carol Case, Howard Ferguson
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