Walton's Viola Concerto
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David Owen Norris chooses his favourite recording of William Walton's Viola Concerto.
It was conductor Sir Thomas Beecham's suggestion that Walton should write a viola concerto for the virtuoso Lionel Tertis. But things did not go according to plan when Tertis sent back the music by return of post saying it was 'too modern'. So the 1929 premiere was given by Paul Hindemith (who had been sent the concerto by the BBC's Edward Clark) at the Queen's Hall, just around the corner from Broadcasting House. It was a success and Tertis, in the audience, relented. But although he subsequently played the concerto, Tertis continued to disparage it and was heard to say that Walton had 'murdered' the viola.
Despite its inauspicious beginning, Walton's Viola Concerto has long been recognised as one of his most important early works and is well established a cornerstone of an albeit limited repertoire. Perhaps the root of its appeal is to be found in its dedication 'to Christabel', the lyrical melancholy and poetic longing at the concerto's heart reflecting Walton's unrequited passion for Christabel, Lady Aberconway.
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