Finzi Singers, Paul Spicer, Harry Bicket - Finzi: Choral Works (1991)

On this CD, Chandos provides a decent introduction to the lyrical and sometimes bizarre choral music of Gerald Finzi. As expected, The Finzi Singers create loving interpretations of large and small works, which create a magnificent balance of sacred and secular texts (some of which are written by famous poets). Compositions without accompaniment speak for themselves, and when an organ appears, it also sounds flawless and vertuous.
Again, some works may take you by surprise, especially the final track "Lo, thefull Final Sacrifice", in which the intensity, languor, joy and sadness of all the previous tracks seem to be brought together into an amazing single work. . Overall, the performances are impeccable.
These works by Finzi are filled with real passion and love for everything beautiful and spiritually uplifting. There is a painfully strong appeal in such works as "Here is the complete and Final Sacrifice"... especially the last "Amen". A Cappella's works demonstrate a magnificent gift of counterpoint and a wonderful knowledge of 17th century prose and poetry. Finzi combined music and text very subtly; his understanding of this combination of music and poetry is better than that of many of his contemporaries. If you, as listeners, appreciate the painfully beautiful lines of the melody combined with lush harmony in a personally intimate expression, backed up by spiritual intensity, I humbly believe that you will enjoy this recording...