In a remarkable new recording that's set to redefine British classical music for a new generation, Sheku Kanneh-Mason delivers a performance of William Walton's Cello Concerto that positively crackles with energy and emotional depth. The young cellist's interpretation, captured with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo, reveals fresh dimensions in this mid-century masterpiece.
A Concerto Transformed
Where previous recordings have often emphasised the work's melancholic qualities, Kanneh-Mason finds both the vulnerability and the fierce intensity that make Walton's 1956 composition so compelling. From the opening moments, his playing demonstrates an extraordinary technical command married to profound musical insight.
The recording captures every nuance of his interpretation, from the whispering pianissimos to the full-throated declarations that seem to emerge from the very soul of his instrument. The famous slow movement, in particular, becomes a heart-stopping dialogue between soloist and orchestra.
Symphonic Revelations
The album's coupling with Walton's Symphony No. 1 proves equally revelatory. Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra deliver a performance that balances the work's structural integrity with its explosive emotional content. The Scherzo positively dances with nervous energy, while the final movement builds to a cathartic conclusion that feels both inevitable and surprising.
Completing the programme is the overture 'Scapino', where Walton's wit and brilliance shine through in a performance that's both precise and exuberant.
A New Benchmark
This recording establishes several important milestones:
- Kanneh-Mason's most mature and compelling recording to date
- A fresh perspective on Walton that honours tradition while feeling completely contemporary
- Exceptional sound quality that captures the full dynamic range of both works
- A significant addition to the catalogue of British classical recordings
For collectors and newcomers alike, this album represents essential listening. It's a recording that not only does justice to Walton's genius but expands our understanding of what these works can be. In Kanneh-Mason's hands, the Cello Concerto doesn't just sing - it speaks directly to our time.
