Who posted the YouTube video of the Finzi Eclogue for Piano and Strings?
  • I just searched and could not find the thread. Whoever you are, you gave me quite a gift. I purchased the CD and have listened to it several times. Transforming.
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,190
    I did. Gerald Finzi is one of my favorite composers of the 20th century and the Eclogue is especially wonderful. I believe it was the last piece composed before he died, but am not sure.

    Finzi is one that should be treasured but sadly is not. His choral music is stunning also.

    from the bourbon lands....
    Thanked by 1Andrew Motyka
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    Thank you for mentioning this.
  • Spriggo
    Posts: 122
    Yes, thanks! I hadn't even thought about Finzi since singing him in college many moons ago. His art songs are stunning. Love this setting of Shakespeare:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1gwhQ4zZI
  • Thanks, Spriggo! The Terfel rendering takes me back to a few recitals in college. Happy associations, and good music.

    I've never sung any Finzi, but I've been curious. It's time to poke around and see if he has anything for high soprano (lyric coloratura).
    Thanked by 1Spriggo
  • From the Naxos jewel box notes:

    The Eclogue. composed in 1929, was the slow
    movement of an unfinished piano concerto which Finzi had
    begun in 1927-8 and which he continued to work on until
    1953. He twice revised it, but after the abandonment of the
    piano concerto was content to leave it a, a single movement.
    Nevertheless it was not performed in the composer's lifetime,
    and the title was given to it by Finzi's executors, his widow,
    eldest son. Christopher, and lifelong friend Howard
    Ferguson, It was first performed by Kathleen Long at a
    memorial concert to Finzi four months after his death; John
    Russell conducted, With its calm serenity, it is typical of the
    composer's slow movements.
    Thanked by 1Spriggo
  • Finzi is one that should be treasured but sadly is not. His choral music is stunning also.


    A favorite of mine is the richly gorgeous "Welcome, sweet and sacred feast."
    Thanked by 1expeditus1
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,190
    You should try "Lo, the full sacrifice" which is his setting of the Corpus Christi sequence. Magnificent. Also the song cycle "Dies Natalis".

    I have to quit now or I will write a long soliloquy on Finzi, who I love very much.
  • Aaron
    Posts: 110
    Thanks Kevin, I was just going to mention "Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice".
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h8v_-QiCH4
    Thanked by 1Spriggo
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,190
    I am contemplating it as part of my Europe tour repertory.