Paul Hindemith, a fellow composer, premiered Walton's Viola Concerto after Lionel Tertis declined, leading to a successful performance and a lifelong friendship between Walton and Hindemith.
Performer Biography
Amihai Grosz, the 1st Principal Viola of the Berliner Philharmoniker, was previously a member of the renowned Jerusalem Quartet.
Composer Biography
Bohuslav Martinů composed his Rhapsody-Concerto in New York after fleeing the Nazis, who had banned performances of his music in his Czech homeland.
Composition History
William Walton, the composer of the Viola Concerto, was commissioned to write the piece in 1928 by conductor Thomas Beecham for violist Lionel Tertis, despite Walton not being particularly familiar with the instrument.
Composition History
Bohuslav Martinů's Rhapsody-Concerto was commissioned in 1951 by Ukrainian-American violist Jascha Veissi, whose 16th-century Gasparo da Salò viola inspired the composer.
Critical Reception
Lionel Tertis, the violist for whom Walton's Viola Concerto was written, initially declined to premiere it, finding Walton's innovative style "far-fetched" at the time.
Instruments
Amihai Grosz, the violist on this recording, regularly performs on an uncommon viola from the school of Gasparo da Salò, known for its dark, rich sound.
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