 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: graham
Date: 2008-01-14 12:33
I am not sure how widely it is known that a recording of this piece by Bernard Walton et al was released some time last year. I happened to stumble upon it. Having got it, and having done some listening, I think I can recommend it. It is a 1972 radio recording, which was made so close to his sudden death that it was only broadcast after he had died. However, this meant that Brymer gave an 8 minute broadcast eulogy, which is a touching addition to this recording. It is also coupled with the familiar 1955 recording of the Mozart Concerto together with Karajan.
Although recorded in 1972 the Brahms is in mono, and there are moments when it sounds a bit "off air". But it is certainly good enough to get the measure of the performance and the sound. That performance may seem autumnal and restrained, but it also sounds as though keenly felt emotions lie only just under its surface, and when the dramatic parts arrive, they make all the more impact. Those who dislike vibrato are likely to find this version uncomfortable to listen to. For many, however, the beautiful tone and extremely fluid and natural phrasing will be a pleasure to listen to.
It is on Testament SBT 1381.
Some people may be interested also in the two pictures of Walton and his instrument. This seems to show a mechanism just alongside and above the throat note A and G Sharp keys, which looks a bit like a dedicated B Flat hole, though it might be a register key mechanism. As I have been given to understand that he played on Hammerschmidts, that might explain the non-standard keywork. No doubt others who see it will be able to say what it really is. The booklet notes also give a good deal of very interesting information about Walton.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-01-14 16:08
Woohh I'm so glad to see that someone talks about this master here. My former teacher and his student who is now the 1st clarinetist in the Icelandic symphony both studied with him and they always talk about him as a legend. I'm not sure if it was him or someone else but I think I was told that he was always so relaxed when I played that I felt asleep in one solo in the orchestra.
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