Jamie Walton | News

Sonatas CD success

2010-12-09T17:42:00.003Z

Utterly chuffed with the reception for the second CD in the Romantic sonatas series - those by Brahms, Strauss and (the much underrated) Thuille: CD of the fortnight in Classical Music Magazine, Star CD of the month in Muso and plaudits from The Strad and International Record Review has spurred both Danny and I on to plough on with the project and lay the bulk of the repertoire down. We have already recorded sonatas by Chopin, Saint-Saëns (2), Britten, Shostakovich and Prokofiev such is our insatiable appetite and in February we'll be back to record sonatas by Vierne, Poulenc and Debussy with our trusted and phenomenal team of John West and Andrew Mellor at the Wyastone Estate for Signum Classics - a terrific combinaton all round. But every time we record, it snows (which admittedly suits most of the repertoire).

Having successfully launched next year's festival ('Paths to Russia' - the box office is opening and running a healthy business already) and having secured my Guarneri through investors 100%, I may even relax this Christmas - unusually. It's a truly satisfying end to the year. I'll have some exciting news re the Dvořák and Schumann concertos recording with the Philharmonia in the next couple of weeks . .. .

Seasons greetings to all -

Recordings to come

2010-11-04T15:41:00.002Z

I think since I was introduced to my Guarneri I've found my true voice and this is currently manifesting in a plethora of recordings as if a dam is bursting. Having finished the Anglo-Russian trilogy (Walton/Shostakovich 1 released November 8th 2010) I am pleased to announce that I shall continue to record with the Philharmonia and specifically the Dvořák and Schumann concertos early next year. My pianist Daniel Grimwood and I are back in the studio the day of the Walton/Shostakovich release with our fourth installment as part of a fifteen sonata project - this is to record sonatas by Britten, Shostakovich and Prokofiev released in the summer of 2011 after the third installment of sonatas by Chopin/Saint-Saëns (2) hitting the shelves in May (it's already recorded and edited). Further CDs include sonatas by Vierne, Debussy and Poulenc plus another of works by Schumann, Janáček and Myaskovsky. Well, when the temperature is right . .. .

The lovely Dawn French

2010-11-04T15:31:00.003Z

This was taken at a World Trust gala evening at the Royal Albert Hall where I spent a fantastic hour with the radiant and legendary Dawn French - as genuine and funny in real life as you'd expect. What a breath of fresh air in a world so fraught with stress. . .

Third festival and rising

2010-11-04T13:24:00.002Z

It gives me great pleasure to launch a third successive chamber music festival next year which is now confirmed for 15th to 27th August 2011 ('Paths to Russia') - I along with violinist Jack Liebeck and pianist Daniel Grimwood are to give two piano trio recitals on November 19th and 20th to launch it and as tickets for the 'Vienna to France' festival evaporated fast we're expecting good sales ten months ahead of schedule. All the musicians involved in the terrifically successful 2010 festival have booked themselves back in for next year so we have such an exciting formula set up and the ever expanding audiences are as seemingly passionate as we are. I hear rumours of dwindling audiences in the industry and a lacklustre attitude to classical music pointing towards a dim future but I see no evidence of it in North Yorkshire - in fact quite the opposite. Indeed I found that recent performances at London's Wigmore Hall and Kings Place were full houses - even Simon and Yasmin le Bon attended both, breaking down all elitist barriers between music industries!

On this subject, I have recorded with Simon le Bon and Mark Ronson for the new Duran Duran album released early 2011 and recently performed with Simon at Hampton Court for the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation - read the following link for the interview:

http://www.duranasty.com/exclusive_reports/exclsuive_inteview_jamie_walton_duran_duran%27s_13th_cello_player/Salvo_interviews_Jamie_Walton.htm

Having just performed the Bach solo suites at Tracey Emin's house it's been quite a surreal year!

Festival selling out

2010-07-06T12:13:00.000+01:00

I'm pleased to announce that the first of the concerts at my North York Moors Chamber Music Festival has sold out and the remaining seven are selling fast. The demand for tickets has been overwhelming and I'm looking forward to enjoying another two weeks of musical bliss with esteemed colleagues and passionate audiences. After the festival is over the Walton/Shostakovich (1) concertos with the Philharmonia are released by Signum Classics completing the Anglo-Russian trilogy and including the world premiere recording of the revised ending Walton wrote in 1975.

Daniel and I have also been following up our Grieg/Rachmaninov CD with one of Chopin and Saint-Saens (2nd sonata) which is now ready for release after the New Year. Before the year is out we'll be back in the studio to record two further discs of sonatas by Britten, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Debussy, Poulenc and Faure. Our disc of sonatas by Brahms (e minor), Thuille and Strauss is now out on JCL online. Furthermore, I'll be recording the Dvorak and Schumann concertos early next year with the Philharmonia and filming the Britten solo suites as part of a box set of his complete works for cello. I think it's what they call a dam bursting . . . .. .!

Recording and Performing with Duran Duran

2010-06-10T11:58:00.000+01:00

An interview about my recent performance with Simon le Bon at the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation

Festival and recording time

2010-04-07T10:22:00.000+01:00

It's been such a hectic few weeks; multi-tasking seems to be part of modern life and career these days, not that I'm complaining. I'm pleased to announce the completion of the Anglo-Russian trilogy so the final disc in this set (Walton and Shostakovich No.1 concertos) is now being mastered for an Autumn release. This includes the world premiere of the revised ending William Walton wrote for the concerto in 1975 but until now never heard, performed or recorded. I am privileged to be the first. Perhaps it was destiny with my name . .. . ! We were poised to send Lady Walton this first recorded version but alas, rest her soul, she recently passed away. And so the CD will be dedicated to her memory.

Meanwhile, my pianist Daniel Grimwood and I are following the Grieg/Rachmaninov disc with another coupling: Chopin and Saint-Saëns' (No.2) sonatas, recorded at Wyastone towards the end of this week. For once it might not snow. Although . .. .. .

And later in the year I shall be back in the studio with the Philharmonia Orchestra to record the great Dvorak and Schumann concertos.

My second London performance this year is approaching on May 9th at King's Place with sonatas by Beethoven, Brahms, Britten and Prokofiev. I love London audiences, as I do Yorkshire ones . . ...

. . the second North York Moors Chamber Music Festival is now unveiled - details are up on www.nymchambermusicfestival.org - after last year's sell out festival I am expecting big things for this one and looking forward to it immensely. Do spread the word and come along! Advance booking highly recommended (bookings@nymchambermusicfestival.org or 01751 417795).

The dam has burst and the music shall now pour forth at an intense rate . . . . . . !

Frank interview

2010-04-07T09:59:00.000+01:00

Frank interview about the reasons behind the music

A significant week

2010-01-13T16:56:00.000Z

What a week - Classic FM podcast (see earlier blog), BBC Music Magazine Chamber Choice CD of the month with a double 5***** review and chosen for download, tomorrow live on Radio 3 at 5.15pm (14th January) and news of a Wigmore Hall appearance on March 9th and a King's Place recital on May 9th. Thrilled with the reception of the new CD, the radio support and now that I've completed the Anglo-Russian trilogy, the Walton and Shostakovich (1st) concertos with the Philharmonia under Alexander Briger is to be released later in the year. Meanwhile, Daniel Grimwood and I shall be following up on the recent CD with a recording of Chopin and Saint-Saens (2nd) sonatas in March for a release later in the year too. It always seems to snow when I record so hoping this latest onslaught of arctic weather will be over soon - we nearly got snowed in at the Wyastone Estate last year for the recording... ! Thank you for listening and supporting. If you can brave the elements this weekend on the 16th January and live in London, Daniel and I are giving a recital for the Hendon Music Society in a programme of Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin and, appropriately in this weather, Shostakovich...

BBC Music Magazine Chamber Choice CD of the month double 5***** review

2010-01-13T16:41:00.000Z

BBC Music Magazine BBC Choice CD of the month - double 5***** review

Classic FM interview podcast

2010-01-12T11:33:00.000Z

Listen to the podcast Here.

BBC Music Magazine CD of the month

2009-11-23T08:39:00.001Z

Just received the very exciting and encouraging news that the latest Grieg/Rachmaninov sonatas CD is to receive a double 5***** review in January's BBC Music Magazine which is then automatically nominated for an award. Fingers crossed . . .

I shall be completing the Anglo-Russian trilogy just before Christmas with the Philharmonia/Alexander Briger in the Walton concerto and Shostakovich 1st concerto. Then next year I can focus on recording the Dvorak and Schumann concertos . . ..watch this space!

After the success of the first North York Moors Chamber Music Festival I'm pleased to confirm the dates for next year - the festival will run from 16th to 28th August and details will be forthcoming on the festival page very soon.

I shall also be following up on the Grieg/Rachmaninov sonatas CD with my pianist Daniel Grimwood, on a disc to include the Poulenc, Debussy and Saint-Saens (2nd) sonatas sometime next year.

Having just returned from a tour of America (New York, Boston, San Francisco and Palo Alto) I'm trying to shift the jet lag especially at this busy time.

I'm pleased to announce a debut at London's King's Place on May 9th 2010 in a programme to include sonatas by Beethoven, Britten, Brahms and Prokofiev - as well as a performance of Chopin's sonata at Wigmore Hall on March 19th 2010 as part of the Jacqueline du Pre memorial concert.

Thanks for listening!

Interview on ABC Radio (Australia)

2009-07-30T16:34:00.000+01:00

Interview on ABC Radio
australian_interview.mp3

The Melbourne Recital Centre

2009-07-20T18:26:00.000+01:00

My concert for ABC radio was the first cello recital they'd had - a beautiful hall in every way; acoustically superb and particularly atmospheric. I also had the most fantastic publicist who made my debut in Melbourne unforgettable - the rather wonderful Di Rolle (www.dirolle.com)

Live with the Auckland Philharmonia

2009-07-20T12:46:00.000+01:00

Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations for New Zealand radio

Live on New Zealand Television before interview

2009-07-20T12:43:00.000+01:00

Live on New Zealand Television

Live on New Zealand television

2009-07-14T12:06:00.000+01:00

A Good Morning Television appearance in New Zealand ahead of my Rococo Variations at Auckland's Town Hall with the Auckland Philharmonia.

Playing Bach Tracey Emin's house

2009-07-14T11:57:00.000+01:00

Tracey Emin and Nancy Dell'Olio bid alongside Yasmin le Bon at Christie's for the Lighthouse Trust for my musical services - which raised over £8000 for charity. I recently performed Bach at Tracey's beautiful house in the company of Princess Michael of Kent and others.

New Zealand radio interview

2009-07-14T11:52:00.000+01:00

New Zealand Radio interview - this is an interview ahead of my debut with the Auckland Philharmonia

Back from the anitipodean tour

2009-06-27T15:00:00.000+01:00

Just back from a tour of Australia and New Zealand and I must say, despite the slight jet lag, I feel inspired and energetic. Such enthusiasm and publicity out there it made for a stunning and satisfying musical experience all round which kicked off with a recital at the brand new, and incredible, recital hall in Melbourne. This recorded for ABC - then two nights ago the last concert was in the Auckland Town Hall (Rococo variations) with the Auckland Philharmonia. Acoustically, another winner of a hall and I have not one complaint for the entire trip - aided and enhanced by the extraordinary commitment of both PR agents Di Rolle and Marc Laureano who, basically, I wanted to bring back home to England in my suitcase.

I'm going to try and post as much of the publicity on the website which included a lot of radio and even Good Morning TV! Perhaps this link for an interview in New Zealand will work:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10580011

I also bumped into the British cellist Matthew Barley in the Melbourne hotel lift and the Tokyo Quartet on the plane so what a small world! Wonderful musicians.

I plan to spend the next few years recording a great deal as the Guarneri continues to blossom. New release is this October - Grieg and Rachmaninov sonatas!

Back soon. . ..

Updated reviews and news of forthcoming release

2009-03-05T12:21:00.000Z

My new flyer highlighting the recent Shostakovich CD and forthcoming CD is available:

Web reviews for Shostakovich/Britten CD

2009-01-13T14:39:00.000Z

Music & Vision

Musical Criticism

Margaret Moncrieff-Kelly

2008-11-17T10:39:00.000Z

Margaret Moncrieff-Kelly, my long standing teacher and friend, has sadly died. This was an extraordinary lady who transformed my life not only as a musician but as a person, too. She will be missed by many. Two of her favourite works were the sonatas by Grieg and Rachmaninoff which I shall record next and dedicate it to her life and memory, released next June on Signum Classics.

Thank you Margaret - you were unique, and much loved.

Current publicity

2008-11-17T10:28:00.000Z

Final%20flier.pdf

Classic FM interview October 2008

2008-11-17T10:26:00.000Z

classic%20fm%20mag%20interview.pdf