Young Musicians Final - What Cello Concerto SHOULD she have played ?

[gamba]

I tend to agree with comments that the Walton was perhaps not the ideal choice, but then what would be ?

Personally, I'm glad to have escaped the almost perpetual round of Elgar & Dvorak - so who else to provide her test piece ?

[salymap]

Gamba, there are 2 very attractive cello concertos by Herbert Murrill, who actually worked in the BBC Music Department years ago, probably in the 1950s.
One concerto includes the beautiful 'Song of the Birds', a Catalan folk song often played as an encore by Casals. I can never remember whether it is Murrill's 1st or 2nd, but I would love to see it revived, An opportunity for someone but, perhaps, not well enough known for a competition.

Sad,Isuppose I am the only person to remember the Murrill CCs. They were played a lot until the change of 'management' at the Beeb.

[Nick Armstrong]

Personally, I'm glad to have escaped the almost perpetual round of Elgar & Dvorak

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i was glad for the opportunity to hear the Walton Concerto for the first time and enjoyed it and her performance very much

[Parry1912]

Not sure about the relative difficulties of these pieces but how about:

Finzi, Schumann, Saint-Saens No. 1, Dutilleux, Kabalevsky No. 2, Shostakovich (either one), Lalo, Rodrigo (either one), Bliss or Barber

[makropulos]

I tend to agree with comments that the Walton was perhaps not the ideal choice, but then what would be ?

Personally, I'm glad to have escaped the almost perpetual round of Elgar & Dvorak - so who else to provide her test piece ?

I don't quite understand the issue here: to answer the question, I'd say "the Walton". I've just watched it on iPlayer and thought it was a good choice. Laura gave a very impressive (if occasionally flawed) performance of it –iremarkable maturity from such a young player. A truly worthy winner, I thought –iwith a great piece to play.

[Curalach]

Given that it remains a "prestigious" competition to win, it seems to me that any finalist should choose to play the concerto that he or she feels most comfortable with in these circumstances. I imagine that's why Laura chose the Walton. Whether she was influenced in her choice by her teacher or others we will never know but it was right for her.
Knowing the outcome, it's pretty absurd to suggest she should have played anything else.

[MrGongGong]

Give the poor girl a break !

Surely she can play whatever she wants !
and hopefully will get on to this in a bit ................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKDIQSyR4G0&feature=related

[Hornspieler]

Not sure about the relative difficulties of these pieces but how about:

Finzi, Schumann, Saint-Saens No. 1, Dutilleux, Kabalevsky No. 2, Shostakovich (either one), Lalo, Rodrigo (either one), Bliss or Barber

No mention of the Haydn Concertos. Very often, it's the easier ones to listen to which are the most difficult to perform perfectly and these are a good example.

Ask any string player. They leave nowhere to hide any deficiencies in technique or musicianship.

HS

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I tend to agree with comments that the Walton was perhaps not the ideal choice

Why not? Not "flashy enough"? Insufficiently "musical"? She wasn't up to the work's demands? Doesn't use a twelve-note row?

She liked it; she won: the blazes with these "comments"!

[Curalach]

She liked it; she won: the blazes with these "comments"!

More succinctly put than I managed in #7.

[gamba]

No mention of the Haydn Concertos. Very often, it's the easier ones to listen to which are the most difficult to perform perfectly and these are a good example.

Ask any string player. They leave nowhere to hide any deficiencies in technique or musicianship.

HS

Thanks Hornspieler, you've said it for me.

To elaborate a little, I have recently listened to the Ligeti & Lutoslawski cello concertos. Each an exciting experience, although I'm honest enough to admit to not knowing whether they were played well or not, how could I, I would have to know them as well as I do the two Haydn concertos. However, she was entitled to her choice & deserved to win.

[salymap]

She made her choice and won. Good for her but the Walton CC is not a work I listen to often. I have recordings of Paul Watkins and Piatigorsky, conducted by Charles Munch but the only work I really enjoy of his is the first symphony. My loss no doubt, perhaps I heard too much of him when younger.

[BBMmk2]

Personally I thought that the pianist was the better soloist of the night.

[ardcarp]

Well, I was spellbound by the Walton concerto. It is a lovely piece which grows on you (well me anyway) as you get to know it. It's beauty derives from its sombre and soulful nature, and was IMO a great choice and quite out of the groove in not beginning or ending with the usual flourishes. Intonation is notoriously difficult for cellists and I can think of one great exponent (French) whose notes were not infallibly 'centred'. Well done Laura. Bloomin' brilliant!

PS Dare I say it, the Haydn concertos are a tad boring.