Cecil Forsyth- Viola Concerto in G minor mvt1 (part1)

[Rikatross]

I don't understand why people are comparing this piece to violin or cello pieces. This is a VIOLA concerto. I mean come on, an imitation? please. Walton wrote like Walton, Bach wrote like Bach. All the great composers stole from one another all the time as a compliment to one another. Stravinsky wrote pieces in classical style and no one is giving him crap. He composed in the romantic style, so what. I would like to hear more romantic style viola concertos anyways. I mean they finally know how.

[Nocturneofshadows77]

Holy shit why isn't this standard rep??!! So beautiful!!!

[zoe203203]

Do you guys think this piece would be ok to preform for college auditions? Im deciding between this or something standard.

[csueduc331]

@zoe203203 I think Stamitz and Hoffmeister are better choices. Weber isn't a bad choice either. If you've ventured into Hindemith, Bartok, and Walton, those are much better bets.

[csueduc331]

On the other hand, Lawrence Power is an incredible violist! He has a marvelous recording of Walton and I hear he recently came out with a Bartok recording! I'm sure he will be one of the biggest pioneers for the viola in this generation!

[csueduc331]

I believe this tops Harold in Italy in being the longest viola joke ever written. Harold in Italy is actually a masterpiece. Forsyth Viola concerto seems to try to make up for the several romantic violin and cello concertos ever written, imitating technique that still doesn't match that of the wonderful violin and cello concerti of the late/romantic era (parallel octaves of Sibelius violin and string crossings of Mendelssohn). Sounds like this was simply written flash factor and play-ability.

[trident1347]

@csueduc331 still it's a fun piece. and it's just inappropriate to compare something like this with Sibelius violin concerto - Sibelius concerto is at least six levels of difficulty above this.

[csueduc331]

@trident1347 I am only comparing the fact that it imitates the techniques used in romantic violin concerti. This concerto seems to make up for the fact that there were no real viola concerti written during the romantic era. In that sense, it seems incredibly cliche. Not saying that Bartok, Hindemith, and Walton are the end all be all, but at least these three pieces were original.

[violadude20]

I am playing this for my college audition piece. its just so awesome.

[Alexandra93Bilanovic]

I play it for my graduation, and I love it! I practiced it half an hour ago and I hurt my toe nerve :(((( But I won't give up! :D

[steeeeevve]

I love the sforzandi!!

[violagirl78]

Great piece- why isn't this along with Bowen in the major viola repetoire? It should be! I especially love the cadenza in this recording!

[JiangxenPeter]

This is my favourite viola concerto of all time, along with Walton's. But I am just a but surprised that such a great violist as Power did not pack more punch in the 1st movement (Allegro con spirito) and 3rd movement (Allegro con fuoco)! There could have been much more spirit & fire!! where the viola takes on a more cellistic character. But he plays the lyrical sections really beautifully bringing out a violinistic sweetness enhanced with the much silkier voice of the viola. Overall I love it!

[playmaker302]

Amber Wang can play this song!

[YoungMusikMaker]

@playmaker302 I know Amber! in NC right!! We used to be at the same school but she is 2 grades older. I am playing this for an audition.

[wojtaszko]

This is my favourite concerto fot viola. I loved play it!

[soadfan]

do you have this in an mp3 file? if so, i'd love it! i cant find it anywhere

[Arpimagyar89]

@soadfan download youtube downloader then download any video converter its free,then download the video and convert it to mp3 .

[kgskaug]

@Arpimagyar89 or better yet, download the "Free Sound Recorder" tool and simply record the sound to mp3 while you're playing it off YouTube... works like a charm....

[xujam]

his viola has a distinct sound i hear it a bit more nasal, i dont like it so much, but his playing is great and clean

[GLXLR]

Actually I think his sound is extrememly open/clear compared to Bashmet. Bashmet is much more nasal sounding.

[csueduc331]

@GLXLR Agreed. Bashmet's sound is very nasal and well, not nearly as full as Lawrence Power's sound!

[MistressAfton]

he plays it really strangely in some spots.....

[violinci]

viola concerto in the best.

[Nakiki18]

@violinci

I like how you weren't specific about that :) viola rules all instruments. It takes true violists to make imperfect instruments sound perfect... and that is why we are awesome.

[mikinaruxy]

thank you for posting this.i've been looking for it everywhere :*