search
date/time
North East Post
A Voice of the Free Press
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
2:02 AM 7th August 2022
arts

Classical Music Album: Bridge & Britten: Works For Viola

 
Bridge & Britten: Works for Viola

Frank Bridge Cello Sonata in D minor, H 125 (arr. for viola and piano by Hélène Clément); There Is a Willow Grows aslant a Brook, H 173 (arr. for viola and piano by Benjamin Britten); Three Songs, H 76 (for medium voice, viola, and piano); Benjamin Britten Elegy (for solo viola);Lachrymae: Reflections on a Song of Dowland, Op. 48 (for viola and piano)


Hélène Clément (viola); Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano) Alasdair Beatson (piano).

Chandos CHAN 20247

Released August 12

https://www.chandos.net/


It is not often we get to hear discs dedicated to the viola and so, it is fortuitous that Hélène Clément, violist with the Doric String Quartet, is the current holder of the viola previously owned by both Frank Bridge and Benjamin Britten; the later was Bridge’s private composition pupil. Both were skilled viola players.

Clément’s ambition was to create a testament to both composers and to the instrument that binds them together and in doing so, her marvellous playing captures the spirit bringing out the many qualities of the repertoire and seductively drawing the listener into the musical worlds of Bridge and Britten.

The intensity of the Bridge Cello Sonata is absorbing, the sonorities of the viola add to the haunting atmosphere and works well. Sensitive accompaniments from Alasdair Beatson throughout add to the lyricism.

A gem is Three Songs for medium voice, viola, and piano. Sumptuous music, so expressively and passionately communicated with Dame Sarah Connolly joining Clément and Beatson. The settings are by Arnold, Heine and Shelley and the performance is touchingly tender.

Britten’s arrangement of There is a Willow Grows aslant a Brook, is, according to Mervyn Cooke, haunting and tonally elusive. Once again Clément beautifully captures the nuances in this brooding piece an ‘impression’ of the poignant account of Ophelia’s drowning in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Because the viola has a rich timbre and resonance it can speak so well for pieces such as the 16 year-old Britten’s Elegy. This solo work is given a riveting performance.

The recital ends with Britten’s Lachrymae, and once again Clément and Beatson give an outstanding and divine performance. The powerful intensity between Clément and Beatson is palpable and 13 minutes after the start the duo bring the piece to a heavenly close.

The performances have even more poignancy when we learn that Bridge gave his viola made by Francesco Giussani, in Italy, in 1843, to Britten as a parting gift when he had to embark on a ship’s journey to the United States at the outbreak of the Second World War. The composers were never to see each other again.