The works on this album, although by two different composers, were all written for the same soloist: Polish-British violist Lionel Tertis (1876-1975). His recorded output was sparse and confined mostly to 78s, but numerous British works of the first half of the 20th century were written for him. He often played an oversized viola and cultivated a big, lyrical sound. British violist Lawrence Power offers instead a distinctively earthy viola made by Bologna builder Antonio Brensi in 1610, and it's a reasonable substitute. The ...
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The works on this album, although by two different composers, were all written for the same soloist: Polish-British violist Lionel Tertis (1876-1975). His recorded output was sparse and confined mostly to 78s, but numerous British works of the first half of the 20th century were written for him. He often played an oversized viola and cultivated a big, lyrical sound. British violist Lawrence Power offers instead a distinctively earthy viola made by Bologna builder Antonio Brensi in 1610, and it's a reasonable substitute. The find here is the rare Viola Concerto by Scottish composer John McEwen, premiered in 1901 in response to Tertis' first major commission. It is a pure Brahmsian work, but gorgeously written for the viola, whose lines are festooned with large leaps releasing into lambent melody. Power is very strong here and in Vaughan Williams' Flos Campi, for viola, wordless chorus, and orchestra, a work with a rather mystical basis. It has words from the Song of Songs written above the score (and...
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Add this copy of Vaughan Williams: Flos Campi, Suite; Mcewen: Viola to cart. $11.66, like new condition, Sold by BMC1701 rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Norwalk, IA, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by HYPERION.
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