Walton: Viola Concerto, Partita for Orchestra & Sonata for String Orchestra

Edward Gardner continues his Walton series with the earliest of the three string concertos, and James Ehnes proves he’s as fine a viola player as he is a violinist. He draws a lovely glowing sound from his instrument, blending with the orchestra’s vibrant colors to magical effect, while the fine recording plays its part too. The Partita, written in 1957 for George Szell’s Cleveland Orchestra and exploiting that ensemble’s legendary virtuosity, is thrillingly done, while the Sonata, arranged for Neville Marriner’s Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 1971 from the early String Quartet, finds the BBC Symphony Orchestra strings in superb form.