FINZI Clarinet Concerto

GERALD FINZI
Clarinet Concerto, Op.31

Robert Plane, clarinet
Northern Sinfonia
Howard Griffiths

[Freakinreviews]

I wish Finzi had more recognition. His works have such depth, and he was so brilliant at orchestration. This is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

[MichaelConwayBaker]

A masterpiece. I heard this many years and was so overwhelmed I wrote to Finzi's widow of my admiration for this work. Finzi certainly deserves a place among the first rank of 20th c. composers.

[zyltch]

This concerto is some of the most beautiful English music ever written - melancholic, wistful, elegiac - reminiscent of the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and, at a personal level, a dear friend who took his own life many years ago.

[WolfeTone]

“For me, no composer touches the heart like Gerald Finzi”...The words of John Brunning on Classic FM about this wonderful composer.

[-pf]

This is my favourite clarinet concerto of them all. I played this many years ago for my 2nd year recital (uni). The high C came out beautifully (pure luck hehe). I listen to this concerto once every few months with fondness. Such a beautiful work.

[SimonUbsdell]

Gorgeous playing from Robert Plane. Such a perfect match for this sad, rich, expressive music. Finzi just gets more and more and interesting the more one listens and plays. The sun only rarely makes an appearance from behind the clouds.

[christhornley]

A vein of quite profound melancholy runs through much of Finzi's work, and a lot of other English classical music for that matter. But it's a kind of romantic melancholy I find appealing rather than despairing.

[tashaschneider]

Evokes images of adorable geese, paddling on the water! Finzi's writing for clarinets is perfect!

[qusayalmusi]

One of the greatest concertoes during the whole musical history ...

[amandacarden]

I will never forget the chills I had playing this wonderful piece back in high school.. .many ages ago..

[normannokes]

Finzi endured the terrible loss of three brothers in the first world war. Need . I say more.

[LucTaMusic]

I. Allegro vigoroso (0:01)
II. Adagio, ma senza rigore (7:53)
III. Rondo: Allegro giocoso (19:34)

[marialudkin-finnie]

I have recently been playing Finzi's Five Bagatelles and was curious to listen to some more Finzi - I'm very glad I did!🎵

[NestoreZavattori]

This is one of the greatest clarinet concertos ever written!!!! Exquisite!!!

[MichaelConwayBaker]

I have listened to this wonderful concerto for many years. I never tire of how inventive Finzi is. What a loss that he died so young.

[davidhumphries]

Deceptively, simple and unpretentious -Finzi has written a masterpiece of a Concerto. It retains it's''englishness'' in flavour; it's wistfullness and expresses lovely quiet melodies. This and Samuel Barber's Clarinet Concerto are amongst my favourite relaxing Concertii.

[rrfirefly]

II. Adagio, ma senza rigore (7:53) Stunning beauty.

[andymellor]

I can't find a better recording of this! Robert Plane is a fantastic clarinetist! A wonderful interpretation of my favourite concerto!

[Pianomannotes]

Pensive and melancholy (I wouldn't say 'sad'), especially in the first two movements, but the sun comes out from behind the clouds in the Rondo third movement (major sections). Robert Plane is a wonderful clarinettist. I love this work.

[culveyhouse]

One of the best clarinet concertos ever written, in my opinion, fusing a little counterpoint with 20th century British idiom. I don't know if anyone will ever be able to outwit Finzi's concertos in the next 100 years.