Gerald Finzi - The Fall of the Leaf - Elegy for Orchestra in D Minor - Op. 20

Yet another moving piece by Gerald Finzi - his singular stamp all over it. Finzi's musical language sets him apart: he has a distinctly individual voice amongst his contemporary English composers, his song-setting second to none. I didn't know this piece until recently, and I'm very much the happier for that.

"This moving elegy was first planned as part of a chamber symphony. Then it became the last part of a triptych based on the theme of the seasons, called "The Bud, the Blossom and the Berry", the first part of which finally became the "Prelude for string orchestra op.25". http://youtu.be/zvG-JCVpRyY

At Finzi's death, less than half of it had been fully orchestrated.
Howard Ferguson completed the orchestration.

A pervasive sadness dominates this work written in the characteristic, sombre lyricism of the composer." (Hector Bellman, AllMusic).

From Boosey & Hawkes: "Encouraged by Arthur Bliss, Finzi retained this final part of a projected chamber symphony, giving it a title borrowed from a dance in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book by Martin Peerson (c.1600). The music remained the subject of continued scrutiny by the composer until a two-piano version was completed in the 1940s. Even then, the orchestration was left for completion by Howard Ferguson after Finzi’s death. Unashamedly elegiac in character, the piece is vivid in its contrasts, being majestic and particularly impressive at the summits of its musical contours.".

I took these photos in various places in the Derbyshire Peak District, including Parwich, Alsop en le Dale, and Longstone Edge.

The lone sycamore tree which appears a number of times is the largest of its species in Derbyshire. It tops the summit of Oker Hill and was planted a couple of hundred years ago by Will Shore as one of a pair to commemorate the parting of two brothers who decided to go their separate ways in life, one to seek his fortune aboard, the other to stay locally. The poet William Wordsworth was so moved by this romantic gesture that he wrote the following sonnet:

Darley Dale
A Tradition of Oker Hill in Darley Dale, Derbyshire
by William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850)

"Tis said that to the brow of yon fair hill
Two brother clomb; and turning face from face
Nor one look more exchanging, grief to still
Or feed, each planted on that lofty place
A chosen tree. Then eager to fulfil
Their courses, like two new-born rivers, they
In opposite directions urged their way
Down from the far-seen mount. No blast might kill
Or blight that fond memorial. The trees grew
And now entwine, their arms' but ne'er again
Embraced those brothers upon earth's wide plain,
Nor aught of mutual joy or sorrow knew
Until their spirits mingled in the sea
That to itself takes all - Eternity"

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Sir Adrian Boult
Violin: Rodney Friend
(P) Lyrita

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