Search - Gerald Finzi, William Boughton, English String Orchestra :: Finzi: Suite From Love's Labours Lost / Clarinet Concerto

FETCHING FINZI

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 06/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most charming CDs in the Nimbus catalogue, this "compilation" affords us a spacious view of Finzi's lyrical musicality and, at the same time, for those not familiar with this vastly neglected British composer, a keen first meeting.



Recast in 1955 from bits and pieces of his incidental music from a 1946 BBC Production of the Shakespeare comedy, Finzi's "Love's Labours Lost" Suite, Op. 28 is sheer pleasure, beginning to end. From the the thrilling opening horn fanfare "Introduction," and the marvelously touching theme that follows, we are instantly enthralled and captured. All ten movements (or sections) are ripe with beauty and imagination. Particularly moving are the "Nocturne," "Dance," and all three "Soliloquies." The enchantment of this music is undeniable and, running a good twenty-seven minutes, vastly pleasing in every aspect. (Were this a budget CD, it would be worth buying for the Suite, alone!)



The Clarinet Concerto in C Minor, Op. 31 (1949) is a glorious work filled with a moody nostalgia (immediately evident from the opening Allegro), genuinely haunting lyricism (as in the tender Adagio) and the most wistful humor (apparent in the Rondo). Clarinetist Alan Hacker brings a heartfelt serenity to this twenty-five minute concerto, and his playing is gorgeous throughout.



The Prelude for String Orchestra, Op. 25 and the Romance for String Orchestra, Op. 11, 5:05 and 7:01, respectively, are both earlier Finzi works (1920s) and, again, bring to the fore his love of melody, sense of nostalgia and longing, and the ambience of memories of a time long gone, yet still very much rooted in the twentieth century.



The recorded sound, for Nimbus, whose CDs are often over-the-edge with a resonant acoustic, is here perfectly judged and atmospheric; in fact, simply superlative.



[Running time: 64:52]



"

Just Beautiful!

G's Stuff | Abingdon, MD United States | 05/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finzi- the English Impressionist- his music is hauntingly beautiful. Calming and reserved, yet emotionally rich. Just listen to it. There is a reason his music has been becoming more popular in our increasingly complex world."