Walton: Symphony No. 2; Viola Concerto; Johannesburg Festival Overture [CD]

Not long ago there was a Telecast from English National Opera's innovative production of Donaizetti's `Lucrezia Borgia' and some silly, ill informed and unfamiliar excuse for a presenter decided to make a puerile joke about Paul Daniel when she said something like, "You will like the opera - not a lot!" thereby thinking she was making some sort of `clever' reference to a certain entertainer who seems to have fallen out of favour. Didn't the stupid woman realise that the conductor's name is Paul Daniel and NOT Paul Daniels? I wish the TV companies would use knowledgeable presenters instead of talentless would be `celebs' for their `arts' programmes. Having given vent to that complaint, I turn to this remarkable CD. For these three works of William Walton, the English Northern Philharmonia Orchestra is under Paul Daniel. The first work to be presented is a rather gentle version of the `Johannesburg Festival Overture'. Though Daniel favours a slower tempo than one would normally expect there is plenty of sparkle and some well observed orchestral detail. The important percussion section is forward but they don't `take over'. For the `Viola Concerto' the orchestra is joined by Lars Anders Tomter who appears to relish the introverted opening of the First Movement but is equally at home with the faster passages of the score. The Second Movement is a delight as Walton's playful rhythms allow the performers to rise to the composer's challenge beautifully. The Third Movement's Allegro moderato is almost as long as the combined timing of the first two. Daniel ably brings out the gentle humour of the piece and the dialogue between the solo instrument and the orchestra is wonderful. The solo orchestral interjections are well handled and the transition back to the viola's part is effortless. Though Tomter has played the concerto superbly, special mention should be made of his interpretation of this movement which is remarkable in its warmth and clarity. The balance between the soloist and orchestra is well engineered though the sound has a very slight bias towards Mr. Tomter. Although Walton's `Symphony No 1' tends to be performed more often, this CD offers us his `Symphony No 2'. The gorgeously scored opening of the First Movement is excellently brought off though one wishes that the important horns were more prominent. As the movement becomes darker, Daniel allows the orchestra to wallow in the heaver scoring. The oddly moving Second Movement is allowed to drift effectively and the faintly unsettling orchestration is fully explored by the performers. The powerful climax is quite memorable in its delivery. The Third Movement begins grandly enough and Daniel soon manages to settle the music so the piece can continue in its search for a path to travel. The beautiful harp and vibraphone passage is suitable magical and the mysterious passage which follows is stunningly performed. The final Risoluto is taken at a fair old pace so that when the final chords are proclaimed, there is a satisfying feeling of steadfastness. The recordings are warm and they deliver a good, natural balance and blend of the various instrumental groups. My only slight criticism is that the spacious sound gives the orchestra a somewhat `distant' feel to it.

I auditioned almost every available version of Walton's 2nd Symphony before making my choice, and this Naxos CD came out on top. I especially liked the opulent, colourful orchestral sound which lays bare every part before the listener's ear. The high-spiritedness of the reading is exciting, but never sounds rushed; in fact, every detail is savoured. One hears EVERYTHING that Walton wrote into his score. The delian-styled Viola Concerto benefits as much as the symphony from the clarity of the recording. In the concerto, a little missing detail can be fatal, but no problems of any sort here, and all this at a bargain price and without any trace of harshness of tone. I count this one of the best Naxos discs ever, and it would still be my first recommendation, even if it cost far more.