GERALD FINZI

The Violin Concerto received its first recording with this performance, performed by the great Tasmin Little

On its original release it received a Gramophone’s ‘Editor’s Choice’

This disc presents a comprehensive programme of Finzi works performed by an outstanding line-up

The performances here are available for the first time at mid-price

Finzi’s Cello Concerto is arguably his greatest work, not just ambitious but deeply moving, written under the stress of knowing he was terminally ill. It is here wonderfully performed by Raphael Wallfisch under the baton of Vernon Handley. Raphael Wallfisch has recorded regularly for Chandos, and the performance highlights the marvellous technique and understated sinuous tone, he possesses.

This disc also features the outstanding Tasmin Little in her interpretation of the Violin Concerto, conducted by Richard Hickox which received its premiere recording on its initial release. The two concertos are coupled with two deeply expressive works, Prelude for Strings, and the Romance – one of his most ravishing pieces of all, with string writing that echoes both Elgar and Vaughan Williams in its emotional surges.

This recording presents a comprehensive programme of Finzi works performed by an outstanding line-up of artists famous for their interpretations of English music and makes a most welcome addition to the Classics mid-price label.


This CD is also released as MP3.

These are beautiful recordings…
Reissues of excellent recordings. The Cello Concerto (1955) covers a wide emotional range. There is an Elgar-like pathos that Raphael Wallfisch’s 1986 performance lightly underlines. Vernon Handley and the RLPO are sympathetic partners. The Violin Concerto dates from the mid-1920s and gave Finzi much trouble. He was never happy with the first movement and this recording(1999) was only the third performance of the complete work. It is in the slow movement that one finds the real Finzi. Tasmin Little is the sensitive soloist with Richard Hickox and the City of London Sinfonia.
Tasmin Little’s sweet tone and effortless production do justice to the piece, while Hickox and the City of London Sinfonia provide a persuasively active accompaniment. The Sinfonietta is equally fine in both the Prelude and Romance, bringing an especially expressive tone and refined dynamic range to the latter.


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