Hybrid-SACD

“… In every way … this performance by Gardner and the BBC Symphony Orchestra is superior. Conductors and orchestral players have now had nearly half a century to assimilate Walton’s once-considered “difficult” music, and the results, as evident on this release, are vibrant and illuminating. Very strongly recommended.”

“…This new recording [Viola Concerto] with James Ehnes is distinguished, as are the supporting performances by the BBC Symphony under Edward Gardiner. It is a fast performance, which is the way Walton was said to prefer it… The Sonata for String Orchestra was composed for The Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 1971; it was based on Walton’s A Minor String Quartet. Lastly comes the energetic three movement Partita written for the Cleveland Orchestra in 1958. All are top performances, with good separation between pieces on the CD, necessary between works with similar soundscapes.”   ****

“…James Ehnes’ performance in the Viola Concerto has almost two dozen competitors at present, but his version is one of the most affecting for some time. It should also be pointed out that the sound on this disc is superlative, ably reproducing the fine playing of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. These factors, combined with Edward Gardner’s performance of the Sonata, make this disc a strong contender for library status.”

Artistic Judgement: Excellent/Exceptional

Sound/Technical Judgement: Excellent/Exceptional         (Dynamics: 4    Soundstage: 5    Timbre: 5   Detail: 5)

“Walton’s Viola Concerto as well as the Sonata for String Orchestra (a revised version of the Walton’s String Quartet) and the Partita for Orchestra show the BBC Symphony under Edward Gardner as a versatile first class orchestra. James Ehnes, principally a violinist, has switched to the viola for this concerto and proves a fine performer also on this instrument.” *****

Performance (Concerto) ****  (The Rest) *****         Recording ****

Editor’s Choice – Orchestral Section

“... splendid new account [Viola Concerto] from James Ehnes with the BBC Symphony Orchestra ... A winning interpretation ... Gardner conducts a lithe performance of the Sonata for string orchestra ... and a suitably boisterous Partita to fill out the disc. The Toccata swaggers along with tremendous vigour, The BBC SO brass in great form and in characteristically red-blooded Chandos sound, while the Giga burlesca finale is guaranteed to raise a smile.”

Performance ****½      Sonics *****

“… Highly recommended to all Walton admirers.”

“…This is an excellent recording, in which James Ehnes and the BBC Symphony are on wonderful form… it is a performance to savour. The recorded sound and the booklet notes are up to the usual high Chandos standard, making this a most desirable disc, one for all fans of the music of Walton and English music in general.”

The Strad Recommends

“Dazzling performances of Walton’s string masterpieces ... Essential listening.”

“…These are state-of-the-art productions of the finest quality.   Edward Gardner has a very clear-sighted view of all these works, and the soloist in the concerto James Ehnes is in excellent form…”

Album of the Week

“…It [The Viola Concerto] is played by the Canadian virtuoso James Ehnes, who eloquently masters the bittersweet wistfulness of the outer movements and the dazzling pyrotechnics we hear here… The late Partita (1957), written for George Szell’s Cleveland Orchestra, reveals Walton’s undimmed powers as an orchestrator. Edward Gardner’s BBC Symphony Orchestra forces play it as the showpiece it is, revelling in its unfashionable Italianate lyricism and witty high jinks.”