Walton Violin Concerto

[Stanfordian]

I have the Heifetz but have never heard that Ida Haendel recorded it. Lovely story Waldhorn

I have the Kennedy, Dong-Suk Kang, Ehnes, Bell, Chung and Haendel recordings but the account that I find the most consistently satisfying is played by Yehudi Menuhin with the Composer conducting the London Symphony Orchestra on EMI.

[akiralx]

I have Kennedy, Little, Ehnes, Kang, Chung and Bell, and think the last two are the best - though all are good.

[jayne lee wilson]

I heard the Walton live last year, Midori/RLPO/Petrenko, and though beautifully done it made a rather delicate and slight impression.

I honestly think it's a work best experienced in the intimacy of your listening room... possibly true of the gorgeous, more immediately appealing Viola Concerto too.

[akiralx]

I honestly think it's a work best experienced in the intimacy of your listening room... possibly true of the gorgeous, more immediately appealing Viola Concerto too.

Surprising you said that as I can't hear the same melodic invention in the viola as in the violin concerto (though I agree the latter is ideal 'gramophone' material)

[Sir Velo]

Surprising you said that as I can't hear the same melodic invention in the viola as in the violin concerto (though I agree the latter is ideal 'gramophone' material)

Agreed. The Violin concerto is a gloriously sunny work, infused with the sounds of the mediterranean and jazz inflected rhythms. The viola concerto, altogether darker, more sombre hued.

[Barbirollians]

Agreed. The Violin concerto is a gloriously sunny work, infused with the sounds of the mediterranean and jazz inflected rhythms. The viola concerto, altogether darker, more sombre hued.

I agree too. The Viola Concerto always strikes me as an interesting and worthy work . The Violin Concerto is a delight in comparison.

I had forgotten I had Joshua Bell's recording - like so much of his work it strikes me as very accomplished but not very individual.

[amateur51]

to wet the baby's head; and a for grandpa! Congrats!

I second that motion - well done and congratulations to all involved

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I agree too. The Viola Concerto always strikes me as an interesting and worthy work . The Violin Concerto is a delight in comparison.

Oh dear! It's the Viola Concerto that I've always held to be the "absolute masterpiece"; the Vln Conc trivial in comparison.

[AmpH]

Oh dear! It's the Viola Concerto that I've always held to be the "absolute masterpiece"; the Vln Conc trivial in comparison.

I couldn't agree more fhg. I much prefer the Viola Concerto and there have been some wonderful recordings, from Frederick Riddle and William Primrose to Yuri Bashmet and Lawrence Power to name but a few.

[Stanfordian]

Oh dear! It's the Viola Concerto that I've always held to be the "absolute masterpiece"; the Vln Conc trivial in comparison.

Hiya ferneyhoughgeliebte,

Thank you for your fasinating post. I have always considered Walton's violin concerto to be a masterwork of the concerto repertory. Of course we are all entitled to our opinions but I was rather surprised that anyone could describe the violin concerto as "trivial in comparison" to the viola concerto; that’s quite a claim. Although I greatly admire the viola concerto in my view the violin concerto is the superior work, which as been recorded and programmed in the concert halls far more often than the viola concerto. If I am allowed a quick visit fantasyland and I was granted the wish of having any performer I wanted make a recording of any concerto of my choice it would be Anne-Sophie Mutter playing the Walton violin concerto.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hi, Stan,

This is one of those things that can't be quantified, I suppose - a question of personal taste and predilictions rather than counting up the chords and saying "There! That proves I'm right!" I just prefer the (achingly beautiful) Viola Concerto to any other of Walton's works except the First Symphony - 'tho, yes, A-SM playing it would be a ticket/recording I wouldn't miss for worlds! (With Karajan & the Berliners if we're into "Fantasy CD Library! )

As for "recorded and performed more", well, there are more fiddlers than Viola players (all those lightbulbs they have to replace, perhaps?) - but I think I'm right in believing that the Walton is the most performed and recorded Viola Concerto of all* - which can't be said of the Vln Conc.

* = not sure about this. Bartok?

[Ferretfancy]

Critics generally are rather snooty about the Cello Concerto, but I fell in love with the Piatigorsky recording when it was first issued on LP. The usual comments are that Walton did not change his style as the decades passed, but there are few complaints on that score about many great classical composers. It doesn't seem to be enough for a composer to give pleasure or stimulate the imagination, there has to be ground breaking significance. I like to be challenged, but not all the time.

[Barbirollians]

Just listened to the Power recording of the original version - it is a moving , fine piece but it does not have the charm and sunshine of the Violin Concerto .

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... it does not have the charm and sunshine of the Violin Concerto .

I wouldn't disagree with this, Barbs, but I'm with Keats

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue;

... Walton's "charm and sunshine" always sounds more "forced" to me than his melancholy. As I said before, nothing to do with the Music itself, more to do with a personal preference for Autumnal colours.