Gerald Finzi, though renowned for his vocal works, composed instrumental music throughout his life, which makes up about a third of his total output.
Composition History
The Prelude and The Fall of the Leaf were initially conceived as movements for a chamber symphony and later for a triptych called The Bud, The Blossom and The Berry, but these ideas were abandoned.
Composition History
The Fall of the Leaf was incomplete at Finzi's death and was orchestrated by his friend Howard Ferguson, who had previously helped prepare a piano duet version.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Finzi's Nocturne (New Year Music) reflects a "sober sadness" about the New Year, inspired by Charles Lamb's essay "New Year's Eve" and a poem by Robert Bridges.
Composition History
The Introit was originally the second movement of a concerto for small orchestra and solo violin, composed for violinist Sybil Eaton.
Compositional Technique
The Grand Fantasia and Toccata for piano and orchestra, though superficially jumping from the Baroque to the 20th century, is uniquely Finzi's work and takes grand risks.
Critical Reception
The Introit's original concerto form attracted favorable notices, with Eric Blom praising its "remarkable, almost Bach-like unity of feeling and colour."
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