Cadogan Hall, London

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Daniel Harding

Walton: Cello Concerto

*****

Walton's Cello Concerto was written in 1956 for the Russian cellist Gregor Piatigorsky.  The soloist here was Guy Johnston, BBC Young Musician of the Year back in 2000, who has since developed a successful career as a solo artist.  This was an impressive performance of the concerto, pensive and melancholy in the opening movement, dazzling in the scherzo and spellbinding in the solo cadenzas of the theme-and-variations finale.

Christian Hoskins

MusicOMH.com

Guy Johnston is a fine cellist and a superb advocate for this music.  His virtuosity impressed but it was his handling of the lyrical music, and this concerto is full of that, which was most enjoyable.  He gave himself time to enjoy the themes and allowed them to breathe.  His phrasing of the long opening theme was glorious and his handling of the end of the first movement, quite Don Quixote-like in its resignation, was stunning.  The scherzo was quicksilver light, but try as he might the finale didn't hold together, but this was no fault of any of the performers who gave their all.  Johnston is an exceptional talent who will go far in his career.

Bob Briggs

musicweb-international.com