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Definitive Walton

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Years ago I began buying titles in the EMI's British Composers Series in order to get classic performances of Elgar, Holst and Vaughan Williams by the great British conductors Sir Adrian Boult and Sir John Barbirolli. Along the way I discovered the equally impressive talents of composers like Britten, Delius and Sir William Walton. This CD contains what must be considered the definitive accounts of three of Walton's best works -- the Violin and Viola Concertos, and the Partita for Orchestra. All three performances are under the composer's leadership, with him conducting the London Symphony, New Philharmonia and Philharmonia Orchestras respectively. Both Concertos feature Yehudi Menuhin as soloist in glorious stereo sound from the late 1960s, while the Partita was made in 1959. (It should be noted the very same recording of the Violin Concerto appears on the EMI Box Set "Yehudi Menuhin The Violinist" -- see my review.) All of the pieces featured here are played to perfection and are thoroughly engaging. I highly recommend this disc for fans of British music."