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Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending; Walton - Viola Concerto; Violin Concerto

from: EMI Classics

March 01, 2004
This CD features three of the great twentieth century British works. It begins with Walton's Violin Concerto which, written in 1939 and revised in 1943, is serenely indifferent to its historical context. (In fact, much of it was written in the south of Italy and, certainly, its ethereal atmosphere is more suggestive of the Mediterranean than the blackout.)

As for the maverick soloist Nigel Kennedy, this piece is in many ways an ideal vehicle for him to display his talents. The second movement in particular, 'Presto capriccioso alla napolitana', makes huge demands on technical virtuosity. Kennedy is almost unfailingly accurate with intonation in the higher registers. His double-stopping is especially impressive. The Violin Concerto ... Read More: