Gerald Finzi - In Terra Pax Op. 39 (Part II) - And lo, the angel of the Lord

Less accessible perhaps, and a much wider dynamic range than Part I, but each listening brings rewards!

From Part I: "In Terra Pax" is prime Finzi. This Christmas cantata is snowily magical in the right hands, as here.

"The work is a setting of two verses from Robert Bridges' fine poem, 'Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913', subtitled Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis (Peace and goodwill to all men), which Finzi imaginatively and skilfully uses to frame St Luke's account of the angels' appearance to the shepherds. In Terra Pax is subtitled 'Christmas Scene', and Finzi explained that 'the Nativity becomes a vision seen by a wanderer on a dark and frosty Christmas Eve in our own familiar landscape'. This placing of the Biblical story into an English pastoral context is entirely consistent with Finzi's close affinity with the English Romantic tradition, and his lifelong dedication to the creation of his own rural paradise at his home in Ashmansworth, near Newbury" - John Bawden.

For me, Finzi's setting of Robert Bridges' poem here really does take me back to the magical sense and meaning of Christmas - which is easy to lose in adulthood.

Paintings, in order: Annunciation to the Shepherds: Govert Flinck (1639). Annunciation of the Angel: Fra Angelico (1432). Agnus Dei: Jan v.Eyck, Ghent Altar (1432). Nativity: Geertgen Tot Sint Jans around1480-1490. Annunciation to the Shepherds: Abraham Hondius 1663. The Annunciation to the Shepherds, illustration from 'Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry' (vellum), Limbourg, Pol de (d.c.1416).

Photos: I took them in Derbyshire, and its Peak District, England.

Performers (I thought the musicianship here outstanding, especially Mr Sweeney): Donald Sweeney (Bass-Baritone) and Libby Crabtree (Soprano)
Conductor: David Hill
Orchestra/Ensemble: Winchester Cathedral Choir, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gerald
• finzi;
• in
• terra
• pax;
• annunciation
• shepherds;
• peak
• district;
• angel
• gabriel;

[originaltommy]

SUBLIME!!!!! The great Gerald Finzi! I first fell in love with Finzi as a boy of ten years of age singing in a Cathedral choir...and I am NOT loathe to admit that along with Howells, Finzi has informed my musical sensibility ever since. In fact....I'm proud to say it. My GOD! What extraordinary music!

[AntPDC]

@originaltommy You just get Finzi!; as do I and many others who can now appreciate his language at a click of a mouse:) Wonderful comment,

[originaltommy]

@AntPDC You're so right! ;-)