Midlands Classical Music Making

  Norman Stinchcombe reviews the latest classical CD releases Walton: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Yamada (Deutsche Grammophon CD 83 minutes) ★★ The first recording by the CBSO and its new music director is a huge disappointment. Their combination has produced some wonderful music-making at Symphony Hall and unforgettable concert evenings. The two captured here in live recordings were not amongst them. Unlike the London critic who gave this disc a rave review I actually attended the concert at which Walton's second symphony was performed, along with his 'Orb and Sceptre' march, composed for the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. While he hailed them, as heard on disc, as an "unbridled success" I failed to discern in them any great insights or indeed any affinity with Walton's music from Yamada. Unless one values the motto "slow is best", for here and in the accompanying performance of Walton's First Symphony, Yamada's tempi are...