Walton’s Violin Concerto was composed during a trip to Villa Cimbrone in Italy, and reflects this environment in different ways - some more apparent than others (the 2nd movement is based on a tarantella’, after Walton suffered a tarantula bite whilst there). The piece has endured as one of his most popular works, and is contrasted here by Barber’s Violin Concerto and famous Adagio for Strings. Making his debut recording as a soloist on Signum, Thomas Bowes has built a firm reputation as a guest leader, soloist and ensemble player.In demand as a guest leader, he has led many of the UK’s finest orchestras - including LSO, Philharmonia, RPO, London Sinfonietta, SCO and BBC Symphony Orchestra. The Malmö Opera Orchestra and conductor Joseph Swensen join him for this recording.
"...this recording is a highly desirable release which I recommend without reservation."
Robert Matthew-Walker - International Record Review - October 2011
"...Thomas Bowes’s performances ... make a strong case for themselves, especially his account of Barber..." ***
Andrew Clements - The Guardian - 5 August 2011
"Thomas Bowes, best known as an orchestral leader and founder member of the Maggini Quartet, shows his mettle as a formidable virtuoso in these deeply felt readings of two violin concertos that share much... The Signum sound is excellent with good balance between soloist and orchestra with ample detail and a bloom on the sound that helps to co-ordinate the most complex textures without muddying the result. Altogether a resounding success, making one hope for more recordings from the same source."
Edward Greenfield - Gramophone magazine - September 2011
