The major work on this disc is the Cello concerto. Written late in the composer's career, right after his diagnosis with cancer, the work is dramatic, unsettled and ultimately extremely beautiful. Finzi's musical language is backward looking...resembling nothing so much as the Elgar concerto, and every bit as worthy of becoming a repertory staple as that piece. The first movement is dramatic and tense, with marvelous virtuoso cello writing, especially in the cadenza. The second movement is a wonder...Finzi had a knack for heartbreakingly lyrical slow movements and this one is no exception. The work concludes with a triumphant finale in a polonaise rhythm. This is a tremendous work and now that the post-war stylistic fights are over, perhaps the work can get it's due as one of the strongest concertos for the cello of the 20th century.
The second work on the disc is the Eclogue for Piano and Strings. Originally planned as the slow movement of a never finished piano concerto, this is my favorite work by the composer. It is reminiscent both of the slow movements to Bach's Keyboard concerti and to the Ravel Piano Concerto in G. The melodic lines form a slow, elegant arch, underpinned with simple but fresh harmonies. Each moment of the work is designed to break your heart, and if the piece doesn't, I seriously doubt you have a heart to break!
The final work on the disc is the Grand Fantasia and Toccata for Piano and Orchestra, originally meant to be the finale of the unfinished piano concerto. This is a bravura work, showing Finzi in a mode much closer to Walton than the Elgarisms of the concerto and the Eclogue. Though I don't find this work as lovely as the other two, it is well crafted and enjoyable and would make a great pairing with the Eclogue on a concert program.
Hats off to Naxos for once again making unfamiliar music accessible to everyone at a price that is hard to beat. If you like heartbreaking and melodic music, that is still fresh and original, I highly recommend this disc. It is unbeatable.
I like the Elgar Cello Concerto, but feel this is a more powerful and cogent work. It expresses depth of feeling in a powerful way outshining the Elgar Concerto. Also, the musical argument is much better controlled than Elgar in my opinion.
I've only begun to examine Finzi's music, but have discovered many treasures. Finzi is known for pastoral music, but this Cello Concerto is far from pastoral. In fact, the only pastoral piece on the CD is the Ecologue which is beautiful.
This CD is well worth the price as you essentially get the Cello Concerto and an unfinished Piano Concerto for half the price of a regular CD. What a bargain!
