Gramaphone Magazine Review

Bowen Concerto, Howell’s Elegy, Vaughan Williams Suite, Walton Concerto (7/06) (ASV) CDDCA1181

A treasurable version of the Walton Concerto and a great programme, too.

Helen Callus, British-born but based in America, plays with sumptuous tone matched by flawless intonation to give the most beautiful account I have ever heard of the Walton Concerto. She brings out the warmth of Walton’s lyricism, one memorable theme after another, and finds a rare mystery in the pianissimo passages, above all in the haunting epilogue. Marc Taddei draws playing from the New Zealand orchestra that is warm in the lyricism and incisive in Walton’s characteristic syncopations.

The coupled works are all valuable. The Vaughan Williams Suite, a rarity, has three brief movements, two in characteristic pastoral vein followed by a vigorous finale. Then comes a most beautiful account of the Howells Elegy, orchestra members making up the string quartet set against the solo viola. Lawrence Power (Hyperion, 7/05) alerted us to the abundant lyricism of York Bowen’s Concerto. Callus is just as impressive, playing with a very wide dynamic range. The snag is what seems to be a substantial cut in the brilliant finale. Power’s main Allegro takes eight minutes before the big cadenza enters (allegedly the work of Tertis) but the Callus version lasts barely four minutes before she begins her own reflective, impressive cadenza. I assume a cut was necessary to fit the CD running time. A pity nonetheless.

-Edward Greenfield, Gramaphone Magazine