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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
William Walton was a 16-year-old Oxford undergraduate when he began work on his Piano Quartet in 1918, completing it the following year. He revised the piece twice, first in 1921 (three years before its publication) and again towards the end of his life in 1974. It's an extraordinarily assured, imaginative and inventive achievement for one so young, with tantalising glimpses of something approaching greatness during the scherzo and finale in particular. Elsewhere, there are echoes of Ravel (above all the Piano Trio), Vaughan Williams and Herbert Howells (another precocious talent, whose own Piano Quartet had appeared in 1916). By contrast, the A minor String Quartet is a product of Walton's maturity. Penned between 1945 and 1947, it's an immensely fluent and appealing essay, beautifully conceived for the medium and still underrated today. There can be few if any quarrels about the impressively spick-and-span and dedicated music-making here, though in the last resort the Maggini's new version of the String Quartet must still yield to the Hollywood Quartet's legendary 1949-50 mono account for Capitol (available on Testament and not to be missed). Even so, this admirably engineered Naxos coupling remains a formidable bargain, whichever way you look at it. --Andrew Achenbach
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3 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
More masterly performances from the Magginis
4 April 2009
Format:Audio CD
Looking through the Naxos catalogue, one realizes that even if the price is not taken into consideration, it contains a huge number of really competitive chamber releases. Part of that is, of course, due to the Magginis, and this release of the Walton piano quartet and string quartet is surely one of them. The piano quartet is an early work, with strong influences of earlier composers, in particular Ravel, but also Elgar and Stanford. It is actually a splendid work, finely lyrical, melodically rich and inventive. The string quartet is a mature work, full of the mature Walton touches, with syncopated, lively rhythms, somewhat acerbic wit, lyrical wistfulness and an irresistibly spicy harmonic language, though at times - especially in the finale - coming dangerously close to formulaic, if still enjoyable, note-spinning. It is more famous in its string orchestral guise (the Sonata for strings), and in the end I have to say that it might just be a tad more effective in that version. That is not to say that the string quartet version isn't very effective and rewarding.
The performances are outstanding, however, invigorating and sharply focused with remarkable clarity of texture and rhythmic concentration. The sound quality is excellent as well, and this release can be very strongly recommended.
The performances are outstanding, however, invigorating and sharply focused with remarkable clarity of texture and rhythmic concentration. The sound quality is excellent as well, and this release can be very strongly recommended.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful Walton
21 Mar 2001
Format:Audio CD
This Naxos record, with excellent recording, show perfectly Walton's capabilities with sting quartets and piano quartets.
The quartets normally show the heart of the composer, and here is no exception. Masterful pieces with heart, full of emotion and force.
Maggini quartet rises to the task, and Mr. Donohoe is an skillful pianist that knows when it is neede, and when is not.
Highly recommended
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Two hidden musical gems waiting for you!
6 Oct 2010
Format:Audio CD
Peter Donohoe is one of the most emblematic British pianists of his generation. He likes to defy the conventional repertoire, always searching and making us discover unknown pages of the late Romanticism.
This piano quartet of William Walton is another evidence of his indomitable spirit. An intimate chamber work that should be much more performed.
On the other hand, the string quartet is captivating due its lyrics and harmonies. This is a magnificent occasion to know these relatively few known chamber works of this distinguished and admired composer.
Don't miss it.
This piano quartet of William Walton is another evidence of his indomitable spirit. An intimate chamber work that should be much more performed.
On the other hand, the string quartet is captivating due its lyrics and harmonies. This is a magnificent occasion to know these relatively few known chamber works of this distinguished and admired composer.
Don't miss it.
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