Walton: Violin Concerto

 

Each of the four works on this Hyperion program are all so appealing to the ear. I hate to use the term affable, but that is the overall feeling I am left with from Sir William Walton.

The Violin Concerto in B minor is a major work from Sir William, set in an odd three-movement structure. It isn't the movements which are odd, instead Walton makes the middle movement a rather harsh Scherzo instead of the usual slow movement, one which can often serve as the heart and soul of the entire composition. Alternatively, it is the outer movements which shift in tempo to provide the needed lyricism for the work, although the Trio has some of this as well.

I love the opening movement most of all, with its mysterious musical qualities apparent at the very start. I daresay, Walton is almost in late-Romantic mode here, for he moves in, out, and around so many ideas, both melodic and rhythmic, as well as for ensemble and soloist.

The Partita is a Suite for orchestra with three contrasting settings. It is a blockbuster of a work, highlighting the composer's command of a large orchestra, as well as the audience. I am most taken with the central Pastorale Siciliana, even if that movement title's qualities evade me through its 20th Century language. Regardless, the ensemble's colors evoked here hook me in strongly.

Paul Hindemith is a composer whose music is not often easy for this listener. And yet, Walton's Variations on a Theme by Hindemith are quite approachable and nearly glitzy at times, even if the main 'Theme' is not one I can readily follow throughout its ten Variations. I enjoy when a set of orchestral Variations end in counterpoint or fugal textures, bringing the whole work to a conclusion, as Walton does magnificently here.

Spitfire Prelude and Fugue must be the most recorded orchestral miniature from this program, although the Violin Concerto is not lacking in recorded performances one mite. Spitfire is Walton at his most 'British', ending the program sounding of the composer's homeland, where his ability to evoke Britannia through musical means is remarkable compared to his other creations here.

I have purposefully separated my feelings regarding these composition from the performance itself. The general approach in all of these works from British conductor Martyn Brabbins is of moderate tempos and a certain organic cohesion. There are no wild variations of tempo, no particular change of attack across these works, all played with a certain smoothness and guarded quality. I think it is these performed ideas which lead me to think of the music as sounding late-Romantic rather than Walton's particular brand of modernism.

There is nothing wrong with such an approach either, for I think it works well enough from British violinist Anthony Marwood and company. But if you are looking for higher temperature playing, and edgier, more rough-hewn surfaces to these compositions, you may want to start elsewhere. I think most would encourage listeners to try George Szell in Cleveland for the Variations and Partita for their highly charged approach. In the Violin Concerto, I like the fulsome playing of Zino Francescatti with Ormandy, as well as André Previn, who was a master of Walton's music at the podium. Of course, if you wish Walton himself at the helm, the great Jascha Heifetz plays the concerto, with plenty of forward movement too.

And still, I believe really great music can hold up to any number of approaches. This one from Brabbins and Marwood is more lyrical and composed, showcasing the colors and singing qualities of Walton's compositions rather than featuring its spiked edges.

As to the physical media, the liner notes are extensive, although quite a bit is given over to the general history of the composer. At over 81 minutes, there is also a whole lot of music too. Hard to pass up for lovers of William Walton!

 

 

 

Works
Violin Concerto in B minor (31.29)
Partita (17.46)
Variation on a Theme by Hindemith (24.44)
Spitfire Prelude and Fugue (7.27)

Soloist
Anthony Marwood, violin

Ensemble
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins, conductor

Label: Hyperion
Year: 2017
Total Timing: 81.28

 

 

There are a lot of options for the main works here, so if you don't enjoy the smooth musings from violinist Anthony Marwood and Martyn Brabbins with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, you will have plenty to choose from elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

Find more Walton recordings HERE!