"History, Analysis and Performance Considerations of Gerald Finzi's ...

37Section CAn immediate resetting of the key center to B♭ minor takes place at measure 68,following the dramatic vocal pause closing Section B, and signaling the beginning of the nextmajor structural division of the anthem. Here as before, Finzi builds a small but climactic archfrom more contemplative to more dramatic text, and back again. In Section C, Finzi introducesthe second of the Crashaw poems, Adoro Te, commencing with its sixth stanza. As the subject ofthe sacramental wine has been previously presented, the sacramental bread now follows.In a series of overlapping and sequential entrances, each voice carries the text “O dearMemorial of that Death / Which lives still, and allows us breath!” The opening soprano intervalof this theme f is related to previous anthem motives by the prominence of the major third. Inaddition it is directly related to the preceding theme (e) by the common foundational pitches, D♭,F, and A♭, and by contour, each line descending into a stressed tied pitch at the bar line (seeFigure 20). Finzi carefully places the word stresses to emphasize “Me-mo-rial,” “lives,” and“still,” reminding the listener that while the bread is symbol of the past, in its partaking liesFigure 20. Descending contours of “To feed of Thee,” and “Which lives still”(measures 63, 68-69).