Vaughan Williams: Flos Campi & Suite; McEwen: Viola Concerto

Lawrence Power has established himself as the most sought-after violist of his generation and his sumptuous tone and persuasive interpretations have lead to many comparisons with the pioneering British violist Lionel Tertis. Indeed, the three works on this disc were written for Tertis, who did so much to broaden the instrument’s musical repertoire and raise its status to an accepted solo instrument.

The two Vaughan Williams works display an unabashed romanticism and pastoral elegance. Flos Campi, meaning ‘Flower of the field’, was completed in 1925 and puzzled audiences with its ambiguous form and unusual orchestration. Despite the prominent solo viola and wordless chorus, it is neither a concerto nor a choral work. The seamless viola line moves in unity with the orchestra and the chorus appears as a body of instruments, creating an effect of mesmerizing beauty and calm. The little-performed Suite for viola and small orchestra was written ten years later and contains some of the composer’s most lyrical inventions.

The lush orchestration and memorable themes in Sir John McEwen’s 1901 concerto expose this large-scale work as a neglected gem of the viola repertoire and Power’s performance is sure to set a new benchmark. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, under the expert and unfailingly sensitive guidance of Martyn Brabbins, provides expert backing throughout.

CDA67839  76 minutes 24 seconds
THE SUNDAY TIMES CLASSICAL CD OF THE WEEK
GRAMOPHONE CHOICE
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE
‘Lawrence Power's playing is wonderfully varied, at times delicate and poetical, at others broad, passionate and generous … Power (and Brabbins, who exercises his usual imaginative flair and mast ...
‘Lawrence Power plays with a tone as dark as a cello, and a technique as agile as a violinist's: the ideal combination … decidedly a favourite disc of 2011’ (The Observer)
‘Lawrence Power is the perfect advocate for both works, with his rich, warm, sensuous tone and flamboyant virtuosity … Brabbins and the BBC NOW are in complete sympathy with his musical aims’ (Th ...