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
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.
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