COMPOSERS: Walton
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Troilus and Cressida (excerpts)
PERFORMER: Richard Lewis, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Monica Sinclair, Peter PearsPhilharmonia Orchestra/William Walton
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 7 64199 2 ADD mono (1955)
Walton later pruned his only full-length opera so much that the present reissue — largely consisting of a 1955 recording of highlights — includes material cut from the 1972-73 revision. Schwarzkopf, the composer's preferred Cressida, has most of the action here, but even her passionate advocacy (plus occasional mangled English vowels) rarely convinces me that the composer actually had anything much to say. Pears and Marie Collier appear to brief and bizarre effect on a two-minute 1968 insert. The sound is rather boxy. Any support for a complete recording? Not from me, I fear. Keith Potter
Walton: Troilus and Cressida (excerpts)
Walton later pruned his only full-length opera so much that the present reissue — largely consisting of a 1955 recording of highlights — includes material cut from the 1972-73 revision. Schwarzkopf, the composer's preferred Cressida, has most of the action here, but even her passionate advocacy (plus occasional mangled English vowels) rarely convinces me that the composer actually had anything much to say. Pears and Marie Collier appear to brief and bizarre effect on a two-minute 1968 insert. The sound is rather boxy. Any support for a complete recording? Not from me, I fear. Keith Potter
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:47 pm