Walton: Chamber Works Matthew Jones & Annabel Thwaite

• William Walton (1902 - 1983): Piano Quartet in D Minor:
• 1 Piano Quartet in D Minor: I. Allegramente 06:31
• 2 Piano Quartet in D Minor: II. Allegro scherzando 04:53
• 3 Piano Quartet in D Minor: III. Andante tranquillo 08:43
• 4 Piano Quartet in D Minor: IV. Allegro molto 08:36
• William Walton:
• 5 Toccata in A Minor 14:31
• 2 Pieces:
• 6 2 Pieces: No. 1, Canzonetta 03:40
• 7 2 Pieces: No. 2, Scherzetto 02:14
• Violin Sonata:
• 8 Violin Sonata: Allegro tranquillo 12:34
• 9 Violin Sonata: Tema. Andante 01:07
• 10 Violin Sonata: Var. 1, A tempo poco più mosso 01:26
• 11 Violin Sonata: Var. 2, A tempo quasi improvvisando 02:28
• 12 Violin Sonata: Var. 3, Alla marcia molto vivace 01:01
• 13 Violin Sonata: Var. 4, Allegro molto 00:37
• 14 Violin Sonata: Var. 5, Allegretto con moto 02:09
• 15 Violin Sonata: Var. 6, Scherzando 00:32
• 16 Violin Sonata: Var. 7, Andante tranquillo 02:26
• 17 Violin Sonata: Coda. Molto vivace - Presto 00:59
• Total Runtime 01:14:27

Info for Walton: Chamber Works

These four works represent all of Sir William Waltons chamber music involving both violin and piano, as well as being a microcosm of his compositional output between 1918 and 1950. They offer a fascinating glimpse of Waltons stylistic journey, from the youthful exuberance of the early Piano Quartet and the Toccata to the unconventional but masterful Violin Sonata, and the Two Pieces with their connection to his music for films. Matthew Jones and Annabel Thwaites recording of works by Benjamin Britten (Naxos 8.573136) was summed up as superb by BBC Music Magazine. Many of the works in this programme are not unfamiliar on recordings, but this is the first single-disc release to include all of the composers chamber works involving both violin and piano. The presence of the often overlooked Toccata is unusual, and shows a dimension of Waltons music that is rarely given mention. The album is the result of a Guildhall School research project entitled Walton: his voice through the violin, inspired by violinist Matthew Jones's lifelong love of Waltons music.

"Finally, from the first yearning bars of the Violin Sonata we are in identifiably Waltonian territory – specifically the languid Mediterranean Walton. Indeed, the echoes of the Violin Concerto are so striking that small wonder Christopher Palmer was tempted to orchestrate it to create in effect a second Concerto.

The form is unusual; an intense and ardent first movement, and a second comprising a rueful theme, seven mostly lyrical variations and a rather abrupt coda. I’m still not sure quite how, or if, it works, but the music is sufficiently seductive to make re-listening a positive pleasure.

Sarah-Jane Bradley has a fine track record in English music, so no surprise that her performance is spot-on; the same goes for her fellow performers, not least Annabel Thwaite in what might arguably be deemed the Toccata for Piano and Violin. Excellent sound, intelligent notes, and a bargain price – strongly recommended." (Kevin Mandry)

Matthew Jones, violin
Sarah-Jane Bradley, viola
Tim Lowe, cello
Annabel Thwaite, piano

Matthew Jones
is equally at home as a soloist or chamber musician playing both violin and viola, performing classical or contemporary repertoire, or improvising. He has recorded 26 solo and chamber albums, is head of chamber music and professor of viola at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, and directs the Intermediate course at Pro Corda International Chamber Music Academy. In recent years he has premiered concertos by Tolibkhon Shakhidi, Derek Ball and Gordon Crosse.

Sarah-Jane Bradley
Since her debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1997, violist Sarah-Jane Bradley has established a distinguished international reputation as a soloist and chamber musician. She is a pioneer of new works and has premiered and recorded a number of new concertos for solo viola, including those by David Matthews, Paul Patterson and Matthew Taylor. She teaches viola at the Royal College of Music and The Purcell School, and chamber music at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Tim Lowe
spends much of his time performing in solo and chamber recitals throughout the UK and Europe. He has given many recitals in major London venues, including St John's Smith Square, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Cadogan Hall and the Purcell Room. As an orchestral player he is guest principal cello with many major UK orchestras. He is a cello professor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and is the artistic director of the York Chamber Music Festival.

Annabel Thwaite
is the winner of numerous major accompaniment prizes, and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the world in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. She appears regularly in recital with Sir Bryn Terfel in venues including Bordeaux and Zurich Opera Houses, and has collaborated with Roberto Alagna, Rebecca Evans and the BBC Singers. She is director of Core courses at the Pro Corda International Chamber Music Academy.

Booklet for Walton: Chamber Works