FINZI: CHORAL MUSIC - HICKOX, O'BRIEN (2 CDS)

Finzi – more master of the small-scale than the large-scale – had a fine ear for poetry and a great sensitivity in his verse settings. In 1978 and 1979, Richard Hickox made two LPs for Argo of (mainly) choral music by Gerald Finzi. Never issued in their entirety, they appear here complete on a 2CD set. They are filled out with a further L’Oiseau-Lyre LP of music for a cappella- chorus and choir with organ, recorded by Garrett O’Brien and his Exultate Singers in London’s Southwark Cathedral in 1979. This 2CD set presents two versions – choir/orchestra and choir/organ – of two of Finzi’s most substantial single-movement choral works: the Festival anthem ‘Lo, the full, final sacrifice’ and the ‘Magnificat’.

‘Philip Langridge […] very good in Dies Natalis […] is a most intelligent singer… Langridge and Richard Hickox have an excellent rapport that carries the music along most convincingly’ (For St. Cecilia, Dies Natalis – Hickox) Gramophone, May 1979

‘Richard Hickox, his singers and players are excellent’ (In Terra Pax, Introit, Lo the full, final sacrifice, Magnificat – Hickox) Gramophone, December 1979

‘The Exultate Singers are an admirable group of 16 voices, with firm tone and excellent chording. Their words, moreover, are as clear as choral words can be.’ (O’Brien) Gramophone, August 1980

GERALD FINZI
CD 1
Introit, Op. 6
with Simon Standage, violin
For St. Cecilia, Op. 30: Ceremonial ode for tenor solo, chorus & orchestra
Dies natalis, Op. 8: Cantata for tenor solo & orchestra

Philip Langridge, tenor
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox

In terra pax, Op. 39: Christmas scene for soprano, baritone, small chorus & orchestra
Magnificat, Op. 36 for choir & orchestra

Norma Burrowes, soprano
John Shirley-Quirk, baritone
Richard Hickox Singers
City Of London Sinfonia
Richard Hickox

CD 2
Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice, Op. 26: Festival anthem for choir & orchestra

Richard Hickox Singers
City Of London Sinfonia
Richard Hickox

Seven Part Songs, Op. 17
God is gone up (Three Anthems, Op. 27)
Three Short Elegies, Op. 5
All this night, Op. 33
Lo, the full, final sacrifice, Op. 26: Festival anthem for choir & organ
Magnificat, Op. 36: for choir and organ

Exultate Singers
Garrett O’Brien
Timothy Farrell, organ

CD1: 1 & CD2 – FIRST RELEASE ON CD