Magnificent Masurenko conquers Britten

Violist Tatjana Masurenko proves her credentials with a stirring performance of Beamish, Britten and Walton Viola Concertos

Composer: Beamish, Britten, Walton
Repertoire: Viola Concertos
Artists: Tatjana Masurenko (viola), NDR Radio Philharmonic/Garry Walker
Rating:  4.5/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: Coviello Classics COV 30507

In a world knee-deep in magnificent string soloists, this Russian-born violist can hold her own. Besides the formidable firepower and seemingly ocean-deep reserves of lyrical expression, Masurenko has an individual way with Walton’s Concerto: its first movement comes across as unusually dark, tellingly off-setting the more serene finale and its bittersweet close. Walker’s conducting secures fine orchestral accompaniments both here and throughout the vivid drama of Sally Beamish’s Concerto. Britten’s Lachrymae is a much more powerful statement than its quite short duration might suggest.