 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-07 11:07
I love Gerald Finzi's music... Especially his Clarinet Concerto, his Five Bagatelles... His Vocal music, Severn Rhapsody...
I love his daunting and dark harmonies... He lost all of his brothers and father before he was 18, leaving him only with his mother. This sort of fragility of life can be sensed in his music, and it's incredibly beautiful to listen to.
My favorite recording of his Concerto is by Robert Plane. I like the string section in Emma Johnson's, and don't like Thea King's at all!
On the whole, a heap of gorgeous music from an absoloutely fantastic composer.
Anyone else really like Finzi? And what do you like about his works?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-07 11:45
I love Finzi too. My favourite recording of the Concerto is by Alan Hacker. Actually it's one of my favourite recordings of any clarinet music.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-11-07 13:45
I played the Finzi Concerto for a solo festival when I was in 10th grade. I had trouble finding information about Finzi then and, even now, when I mention the Finzi concerto the usual response it "the WHAT concerto?" It's soooo beautiful, though.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-11-07 21:34
Finzi trivia: Finzi's son Christopher (nicknamed "Kiffer") married Hillary du Pre (sister of Jacqueline du Pre)...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-11-07 23:50
Morrigan - yep, there is not one English composer I won't happily listen to ... Finzi is a classic example.
You might also listen out for the (oddly) neglected Arnold Bax - Tintagel is one of the most lush 20th "impressionist" pieces written (IHMO).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: d dow
Date: 2002-11-08 13:26
Try some of the Bax symphonies, they are very beautiful and let's not forget Delius who is still unpoplular with classical audiences.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-11-08 20:19
If your going to listen to Bax get the Janet Hilton recording of the Clarinet Sonata, its superb!
Such a great work!
Rob
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Andy
Date: 2002-11-10 21:31
For anyone in London on Tuesday night Michael Collins will be performing the Finzi Concerto at St Johns near Westminster Abbey at 7.00pm!
For the record, my favourite Finzi recording is a dead heat between Robert PLane and Andrew Marriner. PLane is sabulous and the first recording I heard, while the Marriner is just faultless playing by everyone!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2002-11-10 23:11
Andy,
I'm glad that you brought up M. Collins. I wish that I could hear his London performance of one of the really minor masterpieces of the English "Pastoral" style - a favourite of mine for a long time...and I believe the finest, most beautiful concerto for clarinet (of it's style).
There is a CD of him playing the piece with the London Sinfonietta circa 1983 or so that IMO leaves all of the others mentioned sounding pale by comparison. Unfortunately it is no longer in print. It was originally issued on "Virgin Classics" label and perhaps may be found in stores carrying used CD's. If you can find it by calling around, it's a real gem worthy of many listenings.
An unabashed Finzi lover,
Gregory Smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
