In 1929, Sir Thomas Beecham suggested that Walton write a Viola Concerto for Lionel Tertis. However, Tertis rejected the manuscript and composer and violist Paul Hindemith gave the first performance. This new recording with James Ehnes is distinguished, as are the supporting performances by the BBC Symphony under Edward Gardiner. It is a fast performance, which is the way Walton was said to prefer it.

Considering how dismissive some music critics are of the composer (Norman Lebrecht’s savaging comes to mind) the number of recordings of the work is surprising. A quick count gives us 16; including versions by Maxim Vengarov and Yuri Bashmet. It is also impossible to review any new recording without referring to...