O.K., for starters, t-p asked about Walton's viola, and 'cello concertos. These are two very different works, though both have a connection with his friend Paul Hindemith. The Viola Concerto, the first of Walton's concertos for string instrument ,  was written for Lionel Tertis (at the suggestion of quack medicine man, musical comedian and some time conductor, Thomas Beecham) in 1929. However, Tertis wanted nothing to do with it, so Paul Hindemith stepped in to give the first performance. It as a considerable success and what do you know, Tertis later took it up. Walton fully revised the orchestration of the viola concerto in the early 1960s.

The 'Cello concerto of 1957 was written for, and first performed and recorded by Gregor Piatigorsky. Here the Hindemith connection is more tentative, in that Hindemith's own 'cello concerto of 1940 was the source of the theme used by Walton for his "Variations on a Theme by Hindemith". That Charles Hazlewood do so little background research on the 'cello concerto's place in 20th century music seems a pretty poor show to me.

There are more modern recordings of the 'cello concerto, but do try to get to hear the original 1957 recording by Piatigorsky. the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Charles Munch.

Thanks smittims, I had somehow missed out on the BBC Legends issue with Walton conducting, and Fournier straddling the 'cello. Have now rectified the omission by ordering it through Amazon marketplace.

I will have to learn to keep my title below about 72 characters. The original actually read "Questions left hanging when the cultural vandals close topics on the BBC Radio 3 message boards." Tell it like what it is , innit?

I was thinking about that 1930s 'cello concerto Opus 58 of Prokofiev's again, and an old series of Radio 3 broadcasts of Prokofiev works which were reworked came to mind. Among the programmes were a pair including the opus 58 and opus 125 versions of the material for 'cello and orchestra, both played by a certain, then young, 'cellist by the name of Rohan de Saram, with the BBC Phil. under Edward Downes. I missed the start of the broadcast of the opus 58 concerto and had to paste in the opening from a commercial LP recording by Laszlo Varga (?), Barrington-Coupe style. How's that? Three thread topics for the price of one.

And now, thank you Google:

http://www.cello.org/Newsletter/Articles/varga/varga.htm

and search it for "Prokofiev". A delightful reminiscence.

I liked Walton's concertos (for cello and I only heard parts of viola concerto). They have a modern elements in it and melody with more traditional harmonies. Of course one must listen to this works many times to know them well.

This was the weakest programme in Discovery series. Also it was not explained in schedule what pieces are played. I could not understand why they were playing Prokofiev's concerto. (I still don't).
Also I don't understand what is a connection between Prokofiev op. 58. Was he revising it when he died into op. 125, that was finished by Kabalevsky and Rostropovich? Why did he do that?

That's bizarre.  Replies 1-6 have 84 characters in the title, but 464 metres' reply No.7 has an extra 3 or 4.

No silly games here yet then....

Tommo

Bryn - I have noticed the influence of Hindemith on Walton , but not the other way round.   Must listen to more Hindemith.

I've located the recording I made of the programme on a DVD, and listened again to the 'explanation' for the inclusion of the Prokofiev Concertino.  The link that was made was the fact that both works begin with an ostinato phrase.  Apart from that, I can hear nothing in common.  It smacks of desperation, trying to fill the hour. 

Thanks for the info re. the Prokofiev CD.

Blimey!  Wouldn't have minded being a fly on the wall at that luncheon.  What happened?

Tommo