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 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

Tracks:

CD 1 Gerald Finzi:
Introit, Op. 6
For St. Cecilia, Op. 30 Ceremonial Ode For Tenor Solo, Chorus And Orchestra
Dies Natalis, Op. 8 Cantata For Tenor Solo And Orchestra
In Terra Pax, Op. 39 Christmas Scene For Soprano, Baritone, Small Chorus And Orchestra
Magnificat, Op. 36 For Choir And Orchestra

CD 2 - Gerald Finzi:
Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice, Op. 26 Festival Anthem For Choir And Orchestra
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 And Organ
Magnificat, Op. 36 For Choir And Organ