Walton: Cello Concerto

Lovers of mid-century English music will easily identify the special nature of this Cello Concerto performance: the dominant presence of Gregor Piatigorsky, aristocratic prince among cellists. The speaking tone of his Stradivari cello is recognisable from the outset, character matched to music like Callas singing ‘Casta Diva’, moving from the introspective reflection of the first movement to the dashing, chatty central Scherzo with exquisite taste. Piatigorsky had given the first performance of the Concerto in Boston two weeks previously, and made a commercial recording three days later. At the European premiere three days later, BBC Radio and TV were present; the TV broadcast has already been released, but this issue derives from a different source, complete with original broadcast announcements, and sounds fresh for its vintage.

The Façade is more unusual. Paul Sacher (1906-1999) is still best known as a philanthropist, who commissioned over 200 works from the great names of postwar music including Boulez, Birtwistle, Carter, Lutoslawski and Tippett. This alone would assure him a place in the pantheon. But he was also a talented conductor, who founded the Basle Chamber Orchestra in 1926 and revived Mozart’s Idomeneo in 1931, at a time when Mozart’s operas were only beginning to be rediscovered. What he commissioned for the Basle Chamber Orchestra, he conducted, so he was well placed to handle the quicksilver changes in mood and tempi that mark Walton’s early and witty theatrical entertainment. Peter Pears, too, reveals comic gifts that have often gone under-appreciated.

Lovers of mid-century English music will easily identify the special nature of this Cello Concerto performance: the dominant presence of Gregor Piatigorsky, aristocratic prince among cellists. The speaking tone of his Stradivari cello is recognisable from the outset, character matched to music like Callas singing ‘Casta Diva’, moving from the introspective reflection of the first movement to the dashing, chatty central Scherzo with exquisite taste. Piatigorsky had given the first performance of the Concerto in Boston two weeks previously, and made a commercial recording three days later. At the European premiere three days later, BBC Radio and TV were present; the TV broadcast has already been released, but this issue derives from a different source, complete with original broadcast announcements, and sounds fresh for its vintage.

The Façade is more unusual. Paul Sacher (1906-1999) is still best known as a philanthropist, who commissioned over 200 works from the great names of postwar music including Boulez, Birtwistle, Carter, Lutoslawski and Tippett. This alone would assure him a place in the pantheon. But he was also a talented conductor, who founded the Basle Chamber Orchestra in 1926 and revived Mozart’s Idomeneo in 1931, at a time when Mozart’s operas were only beginning to be rediscovered. What he commissioned for the Basle Chamber Orchestra, he conducted, so he was well placed to handle the quicksilver changes in mood and tempi that mark Walton’s early and witty theatrical entertainment. Peter Pears, too, reveals comic gifts that have often gone under-appreciated.

Walton: Cello Concerto - Facade

English Opera Group Orchestra

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Malcolm Sargent

Paul Sacher

Gregor Piatigorsky

Joan Cross

Peter Pears

Royal Albert Hall, London

Royal Festival Hall, London

Orchestral & Concertos

WILLLIAM WALTON

Cello Concerto

Façade