WALTON Conducts WALTON: Symphony No. 1 in B flat minor; Belshazzar’s Feast; Violin Concerto; Viola Concerto; Partita for Orchestra – Philharmonia Orchestra (Sym., Belshazzar & Partita)/New Philharmonia Orchestra (Viola)/Yehudi Menuhin, violin, in both concertos – EMI British Composers Series 50999 9 68944 2 (2 CDs), 78:52 & 73:41 (mono/stereo) ****:
This is an important reissue of some of Walton’s finest works in mostly stereo recordings he made in 1959 (the Symphony was recorded in 1951 and is mono). Both discs are packed with material and the price is right, but unfortunately these are remasterings from 1994, and there have been considerable enhancements in that process since then, even with major labels.
The First Symphony dates from 1935 and is a grand work which, according to the composer, represents “the climax of my youth.” Sibelius and Prokofiev are influences, but the work has much originality. It is highly emotional, with many climaxes, and concludes with a triumphant very British coda. Being in mono doesn’t greatly detract from its enjoyment. Belshazzar’s Feast has been one of the most-performed British choral/orchestral works ever since its commission by the BBC in 1929. In it Walton wanted to outdo his colleague Constant Lambert’s Rio Grande. And he did. The setting of the hand-writing-on-the-wall section is magnificent, especially with the choir loudly shouting out “Slain!” The added brass bands make this a noisy and powerful piece. While it’s good to have this work in stereo conducted by its composer (who was a fine conductor too), he also conducted a much earlier recording in 1943 with the Huddersfield Choral Society and Liverpool Philharmonic, with Dennis Noble as the baritone soloist. This has been remastered, made available online by Pristine Audio and is frankly such a more thrilling performance as to leave the 1959 effort in the dust. Andrew Rose’s remastering is astounding in bringing the old 78s up to modern audio standards with no noticeable surface noise or distortion.
Walton’s Viola Concerto dates from the same time as Belshazzar’s Feast but is a quieter and more lyrical work. The composer admits he was influenced by Hindemith’s own Viola Concerto, and in fact Hindemith himself played the world premiere of Walton’s concerto. The Violin Concerto was commissioned by Jascha Heifetz in 1936. It shares with the Viola Concerto a connection with one of the composer’s various lovers – who from the notes seem to all be various monied noble ladies – but in this case without an air of frustration which clouded the Viola Concerto. An Italianate warmth characterizes the work. The closing Partita for Orchestra is a delightful lighter work packing good spirits and melody into its quarter-hour length.
– John Sunier
