This work sets the lyric poetry of Robert Bridges to a buoyant, lyrical melody. The lyrics express an overflow of joy. Written for a four-part mixed choir (SATB), the piece is famous in the choral repertoire for its energetic contrapuntal independence, reflecting the English pastoral and Renaissance traditions.
The early-twentieth-century British composer Gerald Finzi (1901–1956) is recognized largely for several song cycles, setting texts from a wide selection of English poets, including Thomas Traherne, William Shakespeare, John Milton, Christina Rossetti, Thomas Hardy, Robert Bridges and Edmund Blunden. Also a well-regarded concerti for clarinet and cello, choral works, works for string orchestra, and chamber music.Born in London, Finzi was of German Jewish and Italian Jewish descent. However, the style of his compositions places him as among the most characteristically English composers of his generation. Additionally, despite being agnostic, he wrote a significant amount of inspired and imposing Christian choral music that remains consistently in the performance repertoire. It is the third movement of Seven Poems by Robert Bridges.
Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. From 1987 Jock based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Jock is a former Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and was the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band from 2004 until 2020. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music. In 2020 Jock was awarded an “Honorary Fellowship of the University of Winchester” for services to music education. Currently Jock is working part-time for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; providing tuition for their Brass Teaching Module. In 2024 Jock was given the award for “Services to Youth” by Brass Bands England.
