York Bowen, William Walton Viola Concertos Fresh and Appealing

There are plenty of violin concertos -- composers in the 1700s started writing them as soon as the instrument was perfected. Viola concertos have been fewer and farther between. Which is not to imply they're of lower quality. The two concertos on this release prove that. 

York Bowen was a star on the rise in the early 1900s. He wrote in a predominantly Romantic style that fell out of favor after the First World War. His 1908 Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, though, shows Bowen at the top of his game. 

A critic at the premiere wrote that Bowen had "filled all his movements with melodies." And how. The viola has a natural rich, resonant tone. A tone ideal for spinning out long, sensual melodies. 

English violist Lionel Tetris commissioned Bowen's work. He also commissioned William Walton's Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in A minor. Tetris took Bowen's work on tour. He rejected Walton's 1929 concerto for being too modern. The honor of premiering the work fell to violist (and composer) Paul Hindemith.

Wwlton's work certainly isn't rooted in the Romantic. But it's also not on beyond Webern. Rather, it's a tonal work that uses sophisticated harmonies and clearly defined motifs. 

Diyang Mei gives us a pair of excellent performances. In his day job, he's the principal violist of the Berlin Philharmonic. But he definitely has the personality to be a solo violist. Mei plays with warm expression and near-flawless technique. 

Sometimes the viola can sound a little undefined in its lower register. Not here. Mei plays with precision, ensuring every note is clearly heard. His phrasing illuminates, never muddies. 

Brett Dean conducts the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Dean's a composer and violist himself. He and Mei make quite a team, both in sync with these works and how best to realize them. 

York Bowen, William Walton
Viola Concertos
Diyang Mei, viola
Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Orchester; Brett Dean, director
SWR Music SWR19158CD