Vertue

This work uses the poem of the same name by 17th-century Welsh poet George Herbert as the basis for its structure, framed by sections of solo music for the two pianos. Unlike Vaughan-Williams, Parry and other composers before him, Finnissy repeats the whole poem during the work. The music firstly focuses chiefly on the sombre aspect of the poem, the preoccupation with death and resignation. However, the beauty of the words and triumph of a virtuous soul is depicted in the second setting.