SIR WILLIAM WALTON:
Violin Concerto, Viola Concerto, Partita for Orchestra.
Yehudi
Menuhin Philharmonia Orchestra Sir William Walton.
EMI
CDM5 65005-2 74m ADD.
More authoritative recordings from Walton and Menuhin confirm the excellent
musical relationship between these two great artists. The Violin Concerto
is a beautiful work full of exquisite melodies but also carrying a strong
modernistic image in its apparently light colours. An expansive Andante
tranquillo is played with majesty by the LSO who had a close rapport with
the composer and Menuhin's sweet playing is well suited to the proceedings.
The violinist is also at home in the jolly Vivace movement which is taken
at quite a clip. The Viola Concerto is also successful enough although I
still retain a marked preference for the classic recording with Frederick
Riddle, still available on Dutton Laboratories. Menuhin is occasionally too
detached from what is deeply expressive material although Walton's accompaniment
makes up for this shortcoming. EMI have now added the trenchantly boisterous
Partita for Orchestra, a delightful example of Waltonian 'joie de vivre'
to these two concertos and this rounds off an immensely satisfying disc both
in terms of authority and sound reproduction.
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Performance:
Sound:
