New CD Release: October 28th 2008
Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 2 and
Britten Cello Symphony
Jamie Walton
Philharmonia Orchestra
Alexander Briger - conductor
Order code: SIGCD137
Barcode: 635212013724
“This pairing makes eminent musical sense. Walton plays both pieces magnificently. He is as emotionally committed as anyone, and makes a big, beautiful sound while unflinchingly probing to the very heart of this powerful music… And under Briger, the Philharmonia also plays beautifully.”Stephen Pettit, The Times magazine
“These are well-matched works by two friends, and Jamie Walton follows his memorable Elgar with superb performances of them both, reaching deep into their often sombre and tragic musings…Alexander Briger’s conducting of the Philharmonia supplies the perfect backcloth for the emotional drama, as it does also in Britten’s Cello Symphony, not the easiest of his orchestral works to take to one’s heart, but one that repays close study, especially in such an eloquent interpretation.”Michael Kennedy, The Telegraph magazine (5 stars)
“The Cello Symphony is Britten at pretty much his darkest, and Jamie Walton takes no prisoners in this unflinchingly articulated performance. You get an immediate reality check as Walton digs deep, glowering swathes of tone from his 1712 Guarneri in the threatening cutlass strokes launching the Allegro maestoso’s opening paragraph. The instrument again sings gloriously, higher in its register, in the recitative-like introduction to the Adagio. That movement is given a stunningly concentrated performance, with superbly characterful playing from the Philharmonia Orchestra under Alexander Briger, and a broodingly rapt cadenza from the soloist. Earlier Walton demonstrates a master’s chops in the skeetering, scatter-gun writing of the Presto inquieto, where prodigious bow control and lightning shifts in dynamic are necessary. Walton has both in spades, unquestionably.
“His account of the Britten is so good it arguably tips on its head the glib assumption that Shostakovich’s Second is musically the finer concerto. What’s not in doubt is the quality of Walton’s performance of the Shostakovich, again uncompromisingly confronting the grimness of the musical argument, and catching the cuttingly laconic mood of the central Allegretto with particular sharpness and acuity. Both these pieces were written for Mstislav Rostropovich: it’s saying something for the quality of Walton’s work here that comparisons with that great player would be not so much odious as sheer impertinent.”Terence Blain, MUSO magazine
“Jamie Walton very much follows his own star. His expression is clean and uncluttered, his musicianship unusually selfless.”The Times, 2008 “This young British cellist is effortlessly accurate and, more important, emotionally engaged and engaging.”Financial Times, 2008 “Flawless intonation and an expressive core, communicating its spirit right to the back seats of the hall.”Daily Telegraph “One of the true greats”The Strad “Stupendous technical facility” Wiener Zeitung
Jamie Walton is a rising international soloist with a distinctive voice of his own. He has appeared throughout much of Europe, the USA and the UK in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals. These include radio broadcasts and numerous festivals including Montpellier, Lucerne, Brighton, Harrogate, Ansbach, Schwabach, Schloss-Elmau, Chichester, Cheltenham, Three Choirs and regular appearances in chamber music, concerto, recital and broadcasts in Vienna.
Jamie is represented by Jonathan Cooke Limited.