BaL 12.10.13 - Walton's Violin Concerto

[Barbirollians]

Having never actually heard that recording, this afternoon I managed to listen to it on the 'Naxos Music LIbrary', which I am allowed to access 'for free' as a teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University!
Well, well... my first impressions are that Ms K.W. Chung plays it absolutely superbly and it does indeed have that 'Mediterranean warmth' that several boarders have mentioned. My next observation is that the 'now notorious' horn solo in the 'Trio' of the scherzo doesn't sound particularly 'horrible' as noted by my Rumpole friend...! I now seem to remember that at the time of the recording ( in the wonderful and now sadly late-lamented acoustic of Kingsway Hall) I tried to pick up up on the mood of the Trio as a rather 'chaste and pure' C major reaction (over-reaction?) to the tension of the Scherzo, so I did indeed try to input a modicum of tonal purity into the 'tune'... I can also confess that I tried very hard to 'play my heart out' as I found Ms Chung very attractive ! ( maybe I'm not allowed to say that on this board..?)

Post of the year !

[Tony Halstead]

Post of the year !

It's very kind of you to say that, Barbirollians!
But I'm not sure on what grounds?

[Nick Armstrong]

I believe that Rumpole plays the trombone. You need a very wide mouth to do that - a bit terrifying for all but the bravest candidates.
HS

You need a good long reach too!

[Nick Armstrong]

It's very kind of you to say that, Barbirollians!
But I'm not sure on what grounds?

Raising the toan!

[BBMmk2]

You need a good long reach too!

Never mind the instrument I play!

[pastoralguy]

I have it on CD and listen to it occasionally, but find that it never quite gets the tingle factor going in the way that other recordings can.
I remember a period when Iona Brown used to play it (several Prom performances, I think) and similarly thought that it never quite worked with her either.

I remember hearing her play it in the early 80's with BBCSO when she broke a string in the last movement. The 'cellos appeared to be unaware of the mishap and simply played on as if nothing had happened. Iona Brown swapped fiddles with Rodney Friend but it was obvious she wasn't comfortable with his Instrument.

[Stanfordian]

The Walton is probably my favourite violin concerto and I especially admire the recording by Yehudi Menuhin with the LSO under the composer on EMI. It certainly has the tingle factor for me. The couplings of the Walton viola concerto and the Partita with the New Philharmonia Orchestra under the composer are both splendid too. I also often play Ida Haendel with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Berglund on EMI too coupled with a stunning account of the Britten violin concerto and also Nigel Kennedy with the RPO/André Previn also on EMI.

[Barbirollians]

The Walton is probably my favourite violin concerto and I especialy admire the recording by Yehudi Menuhin with the LSO under the composer on EMI. The couplings of the Walton Viola Concerto and the Partita with the New Philharmonia Orchestra under the composer are both splendid too.

I must dig that out - I recall it tended to get a critical pasting on the basis it was too slow .

[Barbirollians]

I have enjoyed listening to the KWC Previn version and horn solo tonight so much that I have played it all over again .

There appears to be a copy secondhand coupled with Harrell's excellent account of the Elgar Cello Concerto going for £1.48 a total bargain.

[Barbirollians]

I see also that the terrific Lorraine Mc Aslan who ought to be a Proms fixture has just recorded the original version coupled with the Bliss concerto for Dutton .

[BBMmk2]

I have enjoyed listening to the KWC Previn version and horn solo tonight so much that I have played it all over again .

There appears to be a copy secondhand coupled with Harrell's excellent account of the Elgar Cello Concerto going for £1.48 a total bargain.

Thanks for reminding me about that recording! Must dig that out once I have everything sorted! Unless it's on Spotify Premium?

[pastoralguy]

I see also that the terrific Lorraine Mc Aslan who ought to be a Proms fixture has just recorded the original version coupled with the Bliss concerto for Dutton .

She's a class act. She's made many great recordings of usually under known music which has been of great service to those seeking music off the beaten track.