CD REVIEW -
WALTON
CELLO CONCERTO, ETC
Jonathan Aasgaard cello
SINFONIA OF LONDON
John Wilson
CHANDOS CHSA5328 [TT 76:38]

Readers who were attracted to the earlier Sir William Walton OM (1902-83) release reviewed here will be interested in this, the second in the series. No doubt, the new album from John Wilson and his elite Sinfonia of London, led by Charlie Lovell-Jones, will receive wide critical acclamation.

The Cello Concerto is noteworthy in the world of 20th-century cello works and was commissioned by and dedicated to the great Ukrainian-born cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, who was to first perform it in January 1957. The soloist here is the Norwegian, Jonathan Aasguard, who has been principal cellist with both the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Sinfonia of London orchestras, and is currently Professor of Cello at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. A first time listen; the work has been described as introspective, lyrical and embodying a sense of Mediterranean warmth.

The composition of Symphony No.1 began in 1932 but was not completed for another three years, Walton having had problems with a couple of its movements. On completion it was considered an outstanding success.

Interestingly, André Previn's RCA recording, and not the composer's own on EMI, brought it to worldwide attention. It is reckoned to be influenced by Sibelius (so that can’t be a bad thing) and largely inspired by what Mervyn Cooke relates in his booklet notes as "the composer's tempestuous love affair with Baroness Imma von Doernburg, whom he met in 1929 and was living with on the Continent in the early 1930s."

The score is dedicated to her. Fellow composer John Ireland wrote to Walton: "It has established you as the most vital and original genius in Europe." Hmmm.

The album's opening, Scapino, is a brilliant Comedy Overture. The character comes from the 17th-century Italian Commedia dell'arte and is described as "a wily, scheming servant, a master of intrigue and escapades, who assists his master in various romantic plots."

This is an example of the kind of music that you may well agree with your reviewer is what Walton possibly did best. It is understood there is a third in the series on the books, but yet to be recorded and will not be until 2027.

© Peter Burt, October 2025