VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / FINZI

Songs and Elegies

Ralph Vaughan Williams:

1. Come away, death

2. Ring out your bells

3. Love is a sickness

4. Rest

5. The unquiet grave

6. Heart’s Music

7. Linden Lea

8. Fain would I change that note

9. Alister Mc. Alpines lament

10. Silence and music

Gerald Finzi:

11. Three short Elegies - Life a right shadow is

12. This world a hunting is

13. This life which seems so fair

14. Seven poems of Robert Bridges: I praise the tender flower

15. I have loved flowers that fade

16. My spirit sang all day

17. Clear and gentle stream!

18. Nightingales

19. Haste on, my joys!

20. Wherefore to-night so full of care

Quink Vocal Ensemble:

Marjon Strijk (soprano),

Elsbeth Gerritsen (alto),

Harry van Berne (tenor),

Kees Jan de Koning (bass)

This album of songs and elegies by Vaughan-Williams and Finzi is performed by the highly-regarded vocal ensemble Quink. Featured works include Finzi’s Three Short Elegies, and Seven Poems of Robert Bridges.

Since its debut in 1978, the Dutch vocal ensemble Quink has risen to the top of its field and is invited to perform on prestigious concert series around the world. These five professional singers have developed a unique sound which allows them to illustrate with style and expressiveness the great variety of a cappella music. Quink's repertoire varies widely and consists of a cappella music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, as well as works by Romantic composers. The ensemble often performs folk song and close harmony arrangements and it concludes its performances with lighter arrangements. Quink has introduced many new works both of established and modern masters. A number of contemporary Dutch, German and American compositions have been dedicated to Quink. This particular release, a reissue of a CD from 1993, is now being made available through the group’s current record label Challenge Classics.

The collection of songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams featured here are representative of the composer’s fascination with English folk music, and his belief that it was one of the strongest roots of English musical culture. The composer Gerald Finzi was a friend and great admirer of Vaughan Williams and his music was greatly influenced by him. Finzi was pre-eminently a composer of songs, and his character is clearly seen in his compositions, at times energetic and forceful, at other times gentle and reflective.

Challenge CC72501