CD-Charts Position 1
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Primrose - Viola Transcriptions

from: Naxos

Release Date May 29, 2006
Although probably not a household name, Roberto Díaz is one of the best violists these days. He was principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra until recently and is the newly-appointed head of the Curtis Institute. Part of what makes this CD so interesting are the family connections involved. Díaz's father, the Chilean violist Manuel Díaz, was a one-time viola student of William Primrose, and was Roberto's first teacher (as Primrose's father was HIS teacher!). Further, the viola Díaz is playing on is Primrose's very own primary performing viola, one made by brothers Antonio and Hieronymus Amati in about 1600 and now owned by Díaz.

None of this would matter except for the music contained herein. It is a set of transcriptions ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Shostakovich - Violin and Viola Sonatas

from: Regis

Release Date April 14, 2003
I don't know another recording of the Viola Sonata but would love to hear another so measured and moving. The power of the playing is fantastic and, I think, authentic in the sense that it captures all the creative frustration so often evident in Shostakovich's music.

Here is a man whose lifelong experience was to be thwarted by tyranny,and now facing death, along with the inevitable despair and anger what humour and humanity remains - great.

The violin sonata is also wonderful. It is satirical, cynical and full of frustrated life. Like the viola sonata it expresses deeply considered and thwarted passion while retaining a real faith in life and the ability to compose AND maintains a sense of beauty and of humour - a thumb ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Bruch/Walton - Works for Viola & Orchestra

by: London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date January 11, 1999
I don't know another recording of the Viola Sonata but would love to hear another so measured and moving. The power of the playing is fantastic and, I think, authentic in the sense that it captures all the creative frustration so often evident in Shostakovich's music.

Here is a man whose lifelong experience was to be thwarted by tyranny,and now facing death, along with the inevitable despair and anger what humour and humanity remains - great.

The violin sonata is also wonderful. It is satirical, cynical and full of frustrated life. Like the viola sonata it expresses deeply considered and thwarted passion while retaining a real faith in life and the ability to compose AND maintains a sense of beauty and of humour - a thumb ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Fuchs, L - Complete Music for Unaccompanied Viola

from: Naxos

Release Date July 03, 2006
This was a very good month for lovers of the viola. First, there was the marvelous release of William Primrose's viola transcriptions played by the former principal viola of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Roberto Diáz, now the head of the Curtis Institute and a heckuva violist. And now we get a twofer of solo viola music written by one of the last century's great violists, Lillian Fuchs. What's more they're played by her granddaughter, Jeanne Mallow, and on Fuchs's very own huge Gaspar da Salò viola.

I have very fond memories of the playing of Lillian Fuchs. She was a constant figure at the Aspen Music Festival for many years and indeed one year our condo was just above her studio, so we heard perhaps more of her playing (and that of her ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Viola Concertos

from: Arte Nova

Release Date January 08, 2000
This was a very good month for lovers of the viola. First, there was the marvelous release of William Primrose's viola transcriptions played by the former principal viola of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Roberto Diáz, now the head of the Curtis Institute and a heckuva violist. And now we get a twofer of solo viola music written by one of the last century's great violists, Lillian Fuchs. What's more they're played by her granddaughter, Jeanne Mallow, and on Fuchs's very own huge Gaspar da Salò viola.

I have very fond memories of the playing of Lillian Fuchs. She was a constant figure at the Aspen Music Festival for many years and indeed one year our condo was just above her studio, so we heard perhaps more of her playing (and that of her ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Bruch - Works for Clarinet and Viola

from: Apex

Release Date June 25, 2001
The concerto is very appealing and full of melodic grace, while wistful in its sonorities. It's beautifully performed here. Why is such a lovely piece not better known - i.e not performed more often? One would have thought there are soloists out there crying out to give it a go, especially when the inspiration is so consistently high. It's not glitzy or virtuosic, just expertly written, memorable and satisfying. Bruch wrote much more than that pesky G minor violin concerto. Try the second symphony on Phillips, conducted by Masur: sonorous, Brahmsian stuff (without the long-windedness!)

CD-Charts Position 7
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Bach - Transcriptions for Unaccompanied Viola

by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Robin Ireland

Release Date September 12, 2005
The concerto is very appealing and full of melodic grace, while wistful in its sonorities. It's beautifully performed here. Why is such a lovely piece not better known - i.e not performed more often? One would have thought there are soloists out there crying out to give it a go, especially when the inspiration is so consistently high. It's not glitzy or virtuosic, just expertly written, memorable and satisfying. Bruch wrote much more than that pesky G minor violin concerto. Try the second symphony on Phillips, conducted by Masur: sonorous, Brahmsian stuff (without the long-windedness!)

CD-Charts Position 8
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Romanze - The Romantic Viola

from: Black Box

Release Date May 29, 2000
A fantastic disk. A feast of beautiful romanic music sensitively played. Would recommend it to anyone!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Doc Martin - The Edge - Feature Length Special (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk)

starring: Martin Clunes

Release Date September 29, 2008
Having bought and watched Series 1 & 2 in their entirity (and loved them), I am very disappointed with this film. There is no charm, and no feel-good factor from watching it - I was not looking for sugary, safe entertainment, but I was both disturbed and bored well before the end..sorry, a mistaken purchase.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Brahms - Works for Viola and Piano

from: RCA

Release Date June 01, 1999
Having bought and watched Series 1 & 2 in their entirity (and loved them), I am very disappointed with this film. There is no charm, and no feel-good factor from watching it - I was not looking for sugary, safe entertainment, but I was both disturbed and bored well before the end..sorry, a mistaken purchase.