Finzi: Intimations of Immortality, Op. 29

“These are fine performances….The Bournemouth chorus sing cleanly….. The orchestra sustain all comparisons and one feels David Hill’s direction to be both firm and inspiring.” Gramophone

“Gerald Finzi's music here is full of inescapable echoes of the melodies and harmonies of Elgar and Vaughan Williams, the ceremonial pomp of Parry… But he had a distinctive gift for setting English poetry… which shines through the large-scale setting of Wordsworth's ode Intimations of Immortality... This new account boasts an eloquent soloist in James Gilchrist, fine orchestral playing, and choral singing which is accomplished if occasionally lacking in extremes of attack or intimacy.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2006 ****

“What's central, and essential, is the capacity of Finzi's music to grow in the listener's mind over long years, deepening in appeal, strengthening in the conviction of its purpose. Moreover, these performances are marvellously good at clarifying the strengths. Rather more than their predecessors, they clarify structure and texture. The soloist is more distinctly focused in the recording balance, and this makes an important difference when the poet's words are such a vital element.
Ainsley sings with grace and clarity. The small choir conveys a restrained presence in the Intimations; but for much of the time this kind of halo over the sound is appropriate, and in certain important passages the fewer numbers help to compensate with clearer definition. Highly recommended.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“One of Finzi's loveliest creations given an alchemical touch by Handley (has this orchestra ever sounded so golden?). The choir struggles to match, but Partridge sings with intimacy and understanding. Hadley's pastel-shaded score is a nice companion.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2007 ****

“The works pair uncommonly well, especially in the way Finzi's opening follows Hadley's conclusion so naturally that the one might almost be a commentary on the other. The recordings date from 1978 (Hadley) and 1975 Finzi. Both were warmly received on first issue and continue to impress as fine performances. They provide timely reminders that in Vernon Handley we had one of the best conductors of British music in this period. Both soloists are ideally suited, and if we make special mention of Ian Partridge it is because his is the major undertaking.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2007

“The works pair uncommonly well, especially in the way Finzi's opening follows Hadley's conclusion so naturally that the one might almost be a commentary on the other. And 'both of them speak of something that has gone': TheTrees tells of wasted youth, the Immortality Ode of lost vision. There's a contrast in that Finzi's chosen text does not impose its form as Hadley's folksong does. The young man's life falls, very conveniently for the 'symphonic ballad', into four phases, or movements: youth, marriage, fatherhood, death. Wordsworth, on the other hand, alternately cheers himself up and relapses into sad acknowledgement of an unwelcome fact; he also speculates or, some would say, philosophises. In form, it doesn't help the musician and it leads Finzi, in its 'cheering up' vein, to be musically untrue to himself: he keeps thinking he's Walton, and can't get Belshazzar's Feast (of all surely alien works) out of his mind. It's a deeply moving composition nevertheless.
The recordings date from 1978 (Hadley) and 1975 (Finzi) and continue to impress as fine performances.
They provide timely reminders that in Vernon Handley we had one of the best conductors of British music in this period.
The orchestral playing gives pleasure throughout, while the Guildford choir is heard to better advantage in the Finzi. Both soloists are ideally suited, and if we make special mention of Ian Partridge it is because his is the major undertaking.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“This is an astonishingly compelling recording which should be in every English music lover's collection...the beauty and intensity of Ian Partridge's singing are a key factor, and equally the choral singing is richly committed” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition