Walton: Violin Concerto, Viola Concerto / Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending [Original recording remastered]

William Walton (Composer), Ralph Vaughan Williams (Composer), André Previn (Conductor), Simon Rattle (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: André Previn, Simon Rattle
• Composer: William Walton, Ralph Vaughan Williams
• Audio CD (March 23, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0001HAHH8
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,796 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Violin Concerto: 1. Andante tranquillo

2. Violin Concerto: 2. Presto capriccioso alla napolitana - Trio (Canzonetta)

3. Violin Concerto: 3. Vivace

4. Viola Concerto: 1. Andante comodo

5. Viola Concerto: 2. Vivo, con molto preciso

6. Viola Concerto: 3. Allegro moderato

7. The Lark Ascending, romance for violin & orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but leave viola to a violist, July 12, 2005

By 

Lillian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walton: Violin Concerto, Viola Concerto / Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending (Audio CD)

Nigel Kennedy is an amazing violinist and his intonation never fails to impress me. The Walton violin concerto was outstanding, but he plays the viola concerto the same way: like a violinist.

His intonation and interpretation are wonderful in the viola concerto, but he doesn't play heavily enough to make a viola speak. This is especially obvious in the second movement, Vivo, con molto preciso. The sixteenth notes don't speak clearly with a sort of surfacy sound, and just not getting the 'umph' that you expect from a viola, leaving a lot to be desired in tone.

I was also disappointed at times with the balance between the orchestra and soloist. I found myself turning up the volume in places I shouldn't have to in order to hear the soloist, then being blasted when the orchestra comes in.

If you are buying this recording for the violin concerto, I recommend it highly. For the viola concerto I prefer Nobuko Imai's version, or, if you are looking for a budget recording, Lars Anders Tomter's recording under Naxos is wonderful.