The Finzi Singers are a 20-strong, mixed British choral group, founded by Paul Spicer in 1987 for a Festival of British Music given under the auspices of the Finzi Trust. They are now regarded as the major exponents of British 20th-century choral music, in which they specialize. For the Chandos label, the Finzis are recording a wide variety of British music, much of which has never been heard before. This is the music of Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988) all eclectic, powerful Christian choral music, 8 songs in five groups: "God's Grandeur," "What Love Is This Of Thine?," "Give Me the Wings of Faith," "Crucifixus pro nobis, Op. 38," which has four parts, "Christ in the Cradle," "Christ in the Garden," "Christ in His Passion," and "Hymn," and "Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child" first composed when Leighton was only 18. Difficult, dissonant, soaring passages are easily handled by the Singers, who treat us to some amazing music by an fine, relatively unknown composer. Some organ accompaniment. Extensive, detailed liner notes. |
