Jamie Walton | News

Back from the anitipodean tour

2009-06-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-05T04:21:00.000-08:00

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

Web reviews for Shostakovich/Britten CD

2009-01-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Music & Vision

Musical Criticism

Margaret Moncrieff-Kelly

2008-11-17T02:39:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-17T02:28:00.000-08:00

Final%20flier.pdf

Classic FM interview October 2008

2008-11-17T02:26:00.000-08:00

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

New CD

2008-11-10T04:17:00.000-08:00

Exciting times are upon me with the follow up release of a new CD - Shostakovich concerto No.2 and Britten's cello symphony, two unsung masterpieces from the cello literature and in fact two of my favourites not only to play but to hear also. The Philharmonia under Alexander Briger are inspirational.

This is the second part of a trilogy I'm exploring, matching an English work with a Russian, all twentieth century and linked in some way or other either politically or musically. I'll be following this next year with the Shostakovich concerto No.1 and the Walton (inevitably!)

One may ask why I recorded Shostakovich's lesser known second concerto before the first - it's simply because I consider it a greater work which is saying something: the concerto No.1 is a work of genius also. It's a dream I've wished to fulfill for over 10 years when I became obsessed with both the concerto No.2 and the titanic Britten cello symphony. With the death of Rostropovich, this is also an hommage to the great man - after all, they were inspired by and written for him.

Relieved to see the critics understand what I'm saying musically and as I explore my Guarneri cello on an increasingly deeper level, the recordings begin to reflect this aspect of my playing - much more to come. Much, much more ... .

Muso musings and more Elgar

2008-04-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what Elgar can do - having been on the other side of the world for a month, my appreciation of my homeland increased, fuelled by my constant admiration and obsession with the music of Benjamin Britten and gratitude to Elgar who seems to be spreading my music far and wide.

A cynic may see the recent Elgar concerto release as a career move but it was simply out of passion and for now, and only now, being ready. I thank Classic FM for broadcasting it on an almost daily basis and for David Mellor giving it a boost this approaching Saturday (I only know this as I bumped into him at the Royal Festival Hall - I found him utterly charming.)

Muso magazine is out http://www.musolife.com/magazine.html - and although I'm trying to shun the image of rebel, "Rebel with a cause" front cover headline seems to be carving the groove further! But I'm delighted with the interview and how it is marketed in general, not least because the magazine is targeted for the young and they are our future.

Britten Cello Symphony and Shostakovich concerto no.2 are next, already recorded and poised for a September release . .. .

Dvorak next I wonder . . ..? Oh alright!

International Record Review

2008-03-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

Here on antipodean shores (New Zealand), I've just got wind of the International Record Review magazine review which is more than I could have ever dreamed of. To be compared to Rostropovich, a great hero of mine, is an incredible break-through and something I will reflect on with tremendous appreciation and inspiration. Indeed it is a start of a new era, musically, and to be part of that is a tremendous privilege.

I'm here securing future bookings with the festivals and orchestras, sampling the pleasures of the land and lapping up the beauty of the landscape. Jet lag aside, my energy levels are rocketing. Must be the encouragement!

Telegraph CD of the week

2008-03-08T07:00:00.001-08:00

Feeling ecstatic with all these reviews - I'm fortunate enough to be the Telegraph CD of the week today. I'm just delighted that the Elgar is being understood and received so warmly and it creates tremendous fuel and inspiration for one's work. Thank you press!

New recording sessions

2008-02-29T02:33:00.000-08:00

Ah that day before the recording - how to pace oneself is the key but the temptation to over practice is always present, especially with such repertoire: Tomorrow and Sunday (1st and 2nd March) I shall be recording my summer release, the mammoth Britten Cello Symphony and the Shostakovich concerto No.2 with the Philharmonia and Alexander Briger. These are giants and fiendish to bring off but they're works I'm particularly passionate about and it continues along the Anglo-Russian theme hot on the heels of the Elgar/Myaskovsky combination. But so different!

I gather YouTube are now featuring the Wigmore recital last October - power to the people with such technology!

Thanks for the reception of the Elgar

2008-02-13T04:49:00.000-08:00

Well I'm truly touched at the reception of the new Elgar recording by listeners and critics alike, especially the Times newspaper who have now written three. Relieved, too, that they implicitly understand what I was trying to express in this recording and appreciate the unsentimental approach - the music is romantic enough on its own!

Pleased to announce that I'll be gracing the front cover of Muso magazine this April so I'd better get my gladrags on! Currently working towards the next double concerto recording which will take place on March 1st and 2nd, released in September of this year - the challenging but ever so wonderful Britten Cello Symphony and Shostakovich's concerto No.2 - continuing the Anlgo-Russian theme.

Dvorak coming next year . . . .plus a book I'm writing at the moment: about food, life, philosophy and music. Perhaps the odd anecdote thrown in - I know I look serious whilst playing but in life I tend to be more humorous! It's like comedians who are depressive in life - I think I'm the other way around!

Thanks for logging on. More anon!

Classic FM

2008-02-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Just flown in from Bulgaria, got into car and as serendipity would have it, I heard the Elgar played again on Classic FM - thanks Classic FM for the plugs!

2008-02-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

Although I'm not partial to blogging, I'm told it's a way of bridging the communication between those who want to connect or read about an artist and the artist themself - so here's an attempt!

Private by nature, I am however happy to express a certain joy at how the new recording of the Elgar is being received and understood by the critics and hopefully consumers, too. I was determined, when I put my interpretation of this masterpiece down, not to fall into the trap of emulating or carving out a rendition which sounded like so many others. I don't like indulgence in music making. Saying that, I didn't go out of my way to be different! I always believe that you play as you are ie; whatever your inner soul and personality may be, they will, whether you're conscious of it or not, infuse the very music you play. After all, we all have an intonation and timbre of voice that distinguishes who we are. It's the same in music.

I also chose to couple it with the sadly neglected Myaskovsky concerto for it was one of the few works that complemented, not competed with, Elgar's. Such beautiful and evocative music!

I don't compromise on a commercial level - and I only record and perform music that I feel passionate about for this is the prerequisite for any authentic and successful interpretation. Therefore, you're unlikely to hear me doing "lollipops", sorry! So, I hope you enjoy this record and the others before it. This summer sees another Anglo-Russian CD - Britten Cello Symphony and Shostakovich concerto No.2 also with the same forces - look out for a September release and in the meantime, encourage as many children to play and learn music, for not only is it a healer, we must ensure that classical music prevails through the future generations.

Thanks for listening!

New release

2008-02-04T07:02:00.001-08:00

Elgar released today!

And so it begins...

2008-02-01T03:43:00.000-08:00

Here you will find news about me. Watch this space...