Finzi cello concert - In Concert 2.2.18

[Alison]

Must say I was delighted to hear the concerto again.

Not for the first time I found Paul Watkins almost tried too hard and couldn’t quite get hold of the piece.

[EdgeleyRob]

Totally agree Historian

Me too

[Barbirollians]

Must say I was delighted to hear the concerto again.

Not for the first time I found Paul Watkins almost tried too hard and couldn’t quite get hold of the piece.

I have the old Raphael Wallfischvrecordung from way back in 1986 - very full blooded romantic account .

[BBMmk2]

That's one of the joys of music; we each have those composers whose music is essential (is that the word?), and those whose music 'pleasant but inessential' to quote Conchis. To me Finzi is essential and therefore I must admit a bias in his favour. However I think that you are on to something ahinton, that the Cello Concerto may have marked a new departure; alas we shall never know. Similar to Holst, perhaps, whose (relatively) early death deprived of us some interesting works.

BBM, Chandos already have the Raphael Wallfisch/Bryden Thomson recording, although that's getting on a bit now I suppose. I would be very happy to hear Paul Watkins on CD. Like the suggestion of the Eclogue as a coupling.

Ah yes. I forgot about that recording. I think it’s time for another from this company.

Thanks for my suggestion as a coupling. Piers Lane or Howard Shelley, would be good in the Eclogue.

[Historian]

Barbirollians reminded me that the Chandos recording dates from 1986, BBM, so I agree that it may well be time for another. Good choice of potential soloists for the Eclogue as well.

[Pabmusic]

Barbirollians reminded me that the Chandos recording dates from 1986, BBM, so I agree that it may well be time for another. Good choice of potential soloists for the Eclogue as well.

How about the reconstructed Violin Concerto as a couplng?

[Pabmusic]

How about the reconstructed Violin Concerto as a couplng?

Silly me! Chandos already. How about Dutton?

https://d27t0qkxhe4r68.cloudfront.net/t_900/095115988824.jpg?1401982484

[Pabmusic]

If the Eclogue is seriously under consideration as a coupling, then the Grand Fantasia & Toccata must be included, since it (they?) formed the last movement(s) of the piano concerto, of which the Eclogue was the slow mvt.

[Historian]

If the Eclogue is seriously under consideration as a coupling, then the Grand Fantasia & Toccata must be included, since it (they?) formed the last movement(s) of the piano concerto, of which the Eclogue was the slow mvt.

That would make a lot of sense Pabs, thank you. Let's hope someone from Dutton (other excellent music labels are available) reads this thread...

[LMcD]

If the Eclogue is seriously under consideration as a coupling, then the Grand Fantasia & Toccata must be included, since it (they?) formed the last movement(s) of the piano concerto, of which the Eclogue was the slow mvt.

As it happens, the Tim Hugh Naxos recording comprises the Cello Concerto, the Grand Fantasia and the Eclogue.

[Maclintick]

Oh dear. Without Finzi there would be a Finzi-shaped hole in 20th century music! Admittedly he filled the hole many times in a similar way, but there are some works I would hate to be without; probably obvious ones. Dies Natalis, The 5 Bagatelles for Clarinet, Lo the Full Final Sacrifice are just a few. And he had a real gift for writing songs; a master of word setting.

The Hardy settings, "Earth, Air & Rain", "By Footpath & Stile" et al, suit the Finziesque (? Finzian ? Finzoid ?) mode of reflective English melancholy perfectly -- accounts by Roddy Williams & Ian Burnside on Naxos are essential for anyone who loves this music, as is, of course, the Wilfred Brown "Dies Natalis". Just heard the cello concerto on I-PLayer & will have to give it another go...Is the Yo-Yo/Tod version the one to investigate ?

[EdgeleyRob]

The Hardy settings, "Earth, Air & Rain", "By Footpath & Stile" et al, suit the Finziesque (? Finzian ? Finzoid ?) mode of reflective English melancholy perfectly -- accounts by Roddy Williams & Ian Burnside on Naxos are essential for anyone who loves this music, as is, of course, the Wilfred Brown "Dies Natalis". Just heard the cello concerto on I-PLayer & will have to give it another go...Is the Yo-Yo/Tod version the one to investigate ?

Yes,IMVHO the performance transcends the slightly distant recording of the the soloist.

[BBMmk2]

If the Eclogue is seriously under consideration as a coupling, then the Grand Fantasia & Toccata must be included, since it (they?) formed the last movement(s) of the piano concerto, of which the Eclogue was the slow mvt.

Thank you Pabs. I hadn’t thought of that work. A must do coupling for a must do recording!

[Barbirollians]

Ah yes. I forgot about that recording. I think it’s time for another from this company.

Thanks for my suggestion as a coupling. Piers Lane or Howard Shelley, would be good in the Eclogue.

Piers Lane has already recorded Eclogue with Tod Handley in EMI Eminence later transferred to Classics for Pleasure coupled with Delius and RVW Piano Concertos.

[Maclintick]

[/B]
Yes,IMVHO the performance transcends the slightly distant recording of the the soloist.

Many thanks, Rob.