This disc highlights the virtuoso talents of violinist Camilla Wicks. Though Wicks was born in America and took her major music lessons here, she spent her busy adolescence back in Norway where, among other things, she became friends with Norwegian composer Bjarne Brustad. The Brunstad Violin Concerto No. 4, of 1963, is a freewheeling, energetic, and thoroughly Romantic affair with long cadenza sequences liberally placed throughout the three movements. Wicks’ performances here are virtually flawless. The same holds true for the Walton Concerto (1938/39): a performance of high contrast and real lyrical power. It’s obviously the better-known work, but the Brustad could use more exposure. Now the bad news: these are both concert performance recordings even though the booklet doesn’t say so. Between the movements of both works you can hear the orchestra shuffling their scores, the audience shifting in their seats, throats being cleared. Heavy applause follows the conclusion of both works. Also on the downside: the Brustad Violin Concerto is a mono recording. It’s hardly noticeable, but you can detect a slight flatness to the sound. However, to Wicks’ credit as a performer, one’s attention early on becomes focused on her artistic abilities, which were clearly exceptional. She holds her own against anyone in the Walton, and if you’re a fan of the violin and want to hear a decent, unknown concerto in the bargain, you’ll enjoy this.
