Walton: String Quartets

 

Sir William Walton's student composition, the String Quartet of 1922, is severe and uncompromising, finding the composer in an unusually consistent grim mood. Only in the final fugal movement do I detect a bit of musical hanky-panky from Walton, but of the rough and physical kind, though. In this last movement, his themes are easy to identify, effortless to hear the progression of his ideas, and follow the journey of the music clear through to the ending. I didn't have such luck in the first two movements, although extra string techniques are employed in the second movement, offering the listener some different sounds from the quartet.

There aren't many recordings of Walton's early String Quartet (1922), and I can hear why. There are very few recordings of it, from the Gabrieli and Emperor Quartets, but these ensembles play the composer's later cut-down version. Here the Doric Quartet restore the complete original version, not found anywhere else on record as far as I know. That said, maybe the revised version would be better for me.

I recognize the qualities of Walton's String Quartet in A minor immediately. The rhythms are playful, the harmonies are striking, and the motivic ideas are recognizable and enjoyable. His motives may be repeated a hair too often, but all for the better as a listener.

It is interesting to compare the Sonata for String Orchestra, a reworking of this String Quartet in A minor. I recognize many of the shared elements between the two, yet the original quartet version is sharper, yet more intimate as well.

The Doric Quartet are razor sharp in their rhythmic acuity and ensemble work. I could see some finding them too engaged all too often, but I appreciate their high-tensile approach to the music here. Chandos captures the quartet closely, finding little of the Potton Hall ambiance, but very appealing all of the same.

 

 

 

Works
String Quartet (35.17)
String Quartet in A minor (26.47)

Ensemble
Doric Quartet
   Alex Redington, violin
   Jonathan Stone, violin
   Simon Tandree, viola
   John Myerscough, cello

Label: Chandos
Year: 2011
Total Timing: 62.17

 

 

 

Having both of William Walton's string quartets together is a boon, especially the complete version of the First String Quartet.

Yet, that early work will never be a favorite of mine, so cold is its music to my ears. The String Quartet in A minor is an excellent work on the other hand, played with precision and attack by the Doric Quartet.

 

 

 

 

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