A Finzi Fest

6:15pm Pre-concert talk; Gerald Finzi: Martin Bussey, Chairman, Finzi Friends

The Choir of St Marylebone Parish Church

Gavin Roberts (piano, conductor)

Clare Hoskins (oboe),

Bethany Crouch (clarinet)

Amanda Pitt (soprano)

Helen Semple (soprano)

Andrew Copeman (baritone)

Jamie Rogers (organ)

Gerald Finzi (1901-56) was born on Hamilton terrace in St John’s Wood, and taught at the neighbouring Royal Academy of Music from 1930-33. This concert, in association with The Finzi Friends, showcases the extraordinarily poignant musical voice of this unique composer. Finzi’s music continues to attract interest and attention to this day, by the sheer quality and integrity of his compositions. When it comes to poetry, Finzi’s many settings of Thomas Hardy, Shakespeare, are unrivalled in their craftsmanship and response to words. Tragically, he died in 1956 at the age of fifty-five. This concert combines choral and instrumental music alongside the some of Finzi’s well-known and lesser-known solo songs.

We hope you will enjoy exploring Finzi’s music, and will also consider joining the Finzi Friends

PROGRAMME

God is gone up op 27 no 2

text: Edward Taylor (1643-1729)

Prelude no 1 from Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano op 23

Oh fair to see from Oh fair to see op 13b

Text: Christina Rossetti (1830-94)

From 10 Children’s Songs to Poems by Christina Rossetti op 1

- Margaret Has a Milking Pail

- A Linnet in a Gilded Cage

- Rosy Maiden Winifred

Forlana no 4 from Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano op 23

Who is Silvia & Fear no more the heat o’ the sun from Let us garlands bring op 18

Text: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Fughetta no 5 from Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano op 23

Life laughs onward from Till earth outwears op 19a

Text: Thomas Hardy

Interlude for Oboe op 21 (version for oboe and piano)

Since we loved from Oh fair to see op 13b

Text: Robert Bridges

Lo, the full, final sacrifice op 26

Text: Richard Crashaw (c1613-49)