Finzi, Gerald: Two Sonnets op. 12 (mid-1920s) 8'
for tenor (or soprano) and small orchestra
Music Text
Milton (E)
Scoring
2.1.corA.2.2-2.0.0.0-strings
Repertoire Note
In returning to consider the brevity of life – a subject which continually inspired his creativity – Finzi employs chamber orchestra forces to match those of Farewell to Arms. The songs, in the composer’s words, "come off better in performance than they look as if they would". Indeed, the instrumental textures here are often thinner, but Finzi’s melodic and harmonic hallmarks shine out as clearly as ever in this intuitive musical response to Milton’s verse.
Recommended Recording
John Carol Case / Ian Partridge / Jane Manning / John Noble
John Alldis Choir
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / New Philharmonia Orchestra / Vernon Handley
Lyrita SRCD.237
for tenor (or soprano) and small orchestra
Music Text
Milton (E)
Scoring
2.1.corA.2.2-2.0.0.0-strings
Repertoire Note
In returning to consider the brevity of life – a subject which continually inspired his creativity – Finzi employs chamber orchestra forces to match those of Farewell to Arms. The songs, in the composer’s words, "come off better in performance than they look as if they would". Indeed, the instrumental textures here are often thinner, but Finzi’s melodic and harmonic hallmarks shine out as clearly as ever in this intuitive musical response to Milton’s verse.
Recommended Recording
John Carol Case / Ian Partridge / Jane Manning / John Noble
John Alldis Choir
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / New Philharmonia Orchestra / Vernon Handley
Lyrita SRCD.237
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