William Walton Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in A minor | Neasa Ní Bhriain

00:00 - Start
00:34 - I. Andante Comodo
08:50 - II. Scherzo and Trio
13:19 - III. Finale - Allegro Moderato
25:48 - Credits

Viola: Neasa Ní Bhriain
Orchestra of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar
Conductor: Nicolás Pasquet

William Walton's Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, premiered in London in 1929 by Paul Hindemith under the composer's direction, is not the first of its genre, but it is one of the few that have played their way into the repertoire.

Through its affect-rich alternation of an elegiac basic tenor and a playful, communicative drive, the concerto seems to embody a special authenticity. As if taken from life, Walton combines lyrical elements from the late Romantic tonal tradition with loose echoes of dance music and Gershwin. However, the work ends tense, "con dolore" and ambivalent: between major and minor.

The Irish-born musician Neasa Ni Bhriain has been principal violist of the Staatskapelle Weimar since 2018. She is also an adjunct professor at the Belvedere Palace Music High School as well as at the Leipzig Academy of Music since 2022. As solo violist she has made guest appearances with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Munich Chamber Orchestra, MDR Symphony Orchestra and Wexford Festival Opera. At the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar she studied in the class of Prof. Erich Wolfgang Krüger and Prof. Ditte Leser. With this performance she completed her concert exam as the highest artistic graduation of the academy.

The university orchestra is one of the most excellent orchestras in its category in Germany. In its tradition as Germany's first orchestral school the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar has always paid particular attention to its to its most important young ensembles. For the students of the orchestral instruments, these practical musical experiences are an integral, indispensable of their studies and at the same time serve to prepare them for their later for later professional life.

University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar:
Website: https://www.hfm-weimar.de
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hfmweimar
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DHklgcx2Fy0uWsrK6G3fw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hfmweimar
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hfmfranzlisztweimar

Concert recording from 2nd February 2023 in the Weimarhalle in Weimar

Видео William Walton Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in A minor | Neasa Ní Bhriain канала Hochschule für Musik FRANZ LISZT Weimar