Christopher "Kiffer" Finzi is a British orchestral conductor.
Background
He is the son of composer Gerald Finzi. Like his father, the younger Finzi became a pacifist. He refused to do his National Service, and was briefly imprisoned.
After his father"s death in 1956, he helped his mother, Joy Finzi, to establish the Finzi Trust and sustain Gerald Finzi"s reputation.
Career
Their lifestyle was bohemian, living in a remote farmhouse. Christopher Finzi was the elder of two sons. Christopher Finzi attended the Royal Academy of Music and embarked on a career as a freelance cellist and became the conductor of the Newbury String Players after the death of his father who had founded the orchestra.
He eventually turned his attention from music to farming, first establishing a poultry business at Ashmansworth.
He made several recordings in his capacity as a conductor, including a performance of Gerald Finzi"s Dies Natalis and music by Robin Milford and Edmund Rubbra. From 1971 to 1997, Finzi was resident conductor of the North Wiltshire Orchestra.
He remains particularly well known as an interpreter of his father"s music