Walton’s Violin Concerto enchants with its beauty

Hannu-Ilari Lamila, Helsingin Sanomat, 16th March 2014

“Young, skilled and sympathetic British conductor Michael Francis ensured that the atmosphere was authentically English. It is often down to small detail whether, for example, Walton and Vaughan Williams’ works reveal their best qualities…

Britten composed his work Sinfonia da Requiem in 1940 in memory of his parents. It is based on the very few themes and ostinato repeats. In Francis’ mesmerizing grip, the deep dark grief surged quietly, tore agonizingly, built into an excruciating outburst and brightened.

In Vaughan Williams’ neo-classical sixth symphony (1947/1950) one can but hear the destructive and fierce rhythms of war – and kinship with Shostakovich. The performance impressed with its relentlessly throbbing intensity, which only subdued with the final movement’s eerie quietness.”