Walton: Viola Concerto

The concerto was premiered by the renowned German composer and violist Paul Hindemith in 1929. Hindemith performed the piece under the baton of conductor Henry Wood in London.

William Walton composed the Viola Concerto in 1929, having written it largely during a stay in Amalfi, Italy. It was originally commissioned by the violist Lionel Tertis, who initially rejected the piece.

The piece is considered one of the most central and important works for the viola written in the 20th century. It balances virtuosic technical demands with deep lyrical emotion, helping to legitimize the viola as a solo instrument.

Yes, William Walton revised the concerto in 1961 to reduce some of the heavier orchestral textures of the original score. He made these adjustments to allow the solo viola to project more clearly over the orchestra.