“To Joy” (Gerald Finzi)- sung by Austin Merschdorf

This is a performance from the most recent Honors Recital at Carthage- May 15, 2016.  One of my sophomore voice students,  Austin Merschdorf sang three songs by Gerald Finzi …. each one related in one way or another to Death.  The text of the song is by a poet friend of Finzi’s named Edmund Blunden.  Its title refers to the name of Blunden’s baby daughter, who died very shortly after she was born.   Unlike most texts springing from such a heartache,  that focus solely on what the parents themselves have lost,  Blunden grieves at how the death of his precious baby girl has in effect forever separated her from everyone who loves her.   Finzi’s musical setting of the text captures its sorrow so perfectly without overwhelming the text in excess pathos.  It is a real masterpiece.  Finzi probably regarded it as a gift for his friend and never had it published during his lifetime.  It was only about a decade after the composer’s death that “To Joy” – with the permission of the poet – was finally published as part of a seven-song posthumous set titled Oh Fair To See.

Austin is the first student I have ever had sing this song.  I find his performance tremendously moving.