Piatigorsky plays Walton Cello Concerto: Moderato

William Walton’s Cello Concerto was composed in 1956 and premiered on January 25, 1957. Commissioned by cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, the work reflects Walton’s shift from avant-garde to a more romantic style, perceived by some as old-fashioned compared to contemporaries like Benjamin Britten. The concerto adheres to traditional three-movement structure and was developed through close collaboration with Piatigorsky, primarily via correspondence. The premieres took place with Piatigorsky, first with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch and followed shortly thereafter by the Bristish premiere with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sir Malcolm Sargent. This recording came soon after the debut.