Finzi: Clarinet Concerto

yes thats right folks! Gerald Finzi's music can be described as many things, but genius must be one of them.
Gerald Finzi was a British composer in the early 20th Century. Though mostly known for his choral works and hymns, his orchestral pieces give him standing among the all-time musical greats.
With an incredible understanding of counterpoint and harmony all the music is atmospheric and paints scenes of true England: rolling hills ...
...musician's world can be portrayed through his work.
The clarinet works, performed by Robert plane, are masterfully directed and performed, keeping close to the original scores even throughout the cadenzas and most intricate of passages.
This is the album I put on for stress-busting, though its not for the sing-along istener (no lyrics!), nor is it particularly "chill-out". Those who have heard Finzi's works before can understand ... more

yes thats right folks! Gerald Finzi's music can be described as many things, but genius must be one of them.
Gerald Finzi was a British composer in the early 20th Century. Though mostly known for his choral works and hymns, his orchestral pieces give him standing among the all-time musical greats.
With an incredible understanding of counterpoint and harmony all the music is atmospheric and paints scenes of true England: rolling hills and valleys, greenery and wildlife. It is true, that a musician's world can be portrayed through his work.
The clarinet works, performed by Robert plane, are masterfully directed and performed, keeping close to the original scores even throughout the cadenzas and most intricate of passages.
This is the album I put on for stress-busting, though its not for the sing-along istener (no lyrics!), nor is it particularly "chill-out". Those who have heard Finzi's works before can understand but if not, its meancholic beauty summons stirring emotions.
The clarinet concerto (hailed as one of the best written to date) opens the CD with its raw passion, the string orchestra showing its true force through powerful octaves, dischords and fugal entries as the stirrings of a melody occurs, a short dramatic passage climaxes in huge hammered quavers, before the delicate clarinet melody soothes the powerful orchestra.
Other pieces on the disc include the Five Bagatelles, also for clarinet, nad a number of works for string orchestra, equally well written and performed.
Whether a dedicated follower or not this is well worth a buy, I guarantee you will be after you've heard it! 

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