Dutton Epoch is delighted to present this ear-opening, pioneering traversal of Gordon Jacob's complete music for viola and orchestra all world premiere recordings that covers over fifty years of the composer's life. Here we have the two numbered concertos and the tuneful Concert Piece (essentially a third concerto) with Graham Parlett's orchestration of the Three Pieces from 1930. All are played with fine style and characteristic tone by viola soloist Helen Callus accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell. At the RCM Jacob was a composition pupil of both Stanford and Vaughan Williams, and the glorious First Concerto of 1925 was inspired by the playing of Lionel Tertis. Jacob explores the dual nature of the viola, alternating between music headed rugged and virile' and a plangent gentle and singing' style particularly appropriate to the viola. All lovers of British orchestral music of this period will surely take the First Concerto to their hearts; the modal slow section theme is fully worthy of his teacher Vaughan Williams in its wide-spanning lyricism and atmospheric orchestration. This is a remarkable work of its time; at the recording sessions, no one could understand why it is not regularly heard.

... in Helen Callus we have an outstanding player who is clearly dedicated to these works. In turn, she is quite superbly partnered by the BBC CO, whose fine playing here is surely due to Stephen Bell's conducting ...

I hope this CD receives the attention and success it is due and leads to more recordings of this composer's music ...

Robert Matthew-Walker, International Record Review, August 2011

Viola Concerto No.1 in C minor (1925 rev. 1976)
Allegro moderato Cadenza ad lib Allegretto scherzando

Concert Piece for Viola and Orchestra (1977) Edited by John White
i. Larghetto Andante
ii. Alla marcia, pesante Andante
iii. Allegro vivace, animato Lento
iv. Valse lente Allegro vivo Valse lente
v. Largo
vi. Allegro moderato Quasi cadenza Molto lento
vii. Maestoso Allegro alla giga Poco meno mosso (andante) Adagio Allegro
viii. Larghetto Allegro

Three Pieces for Viola and Orchestra (1930 orch. 2010) Orchestrated by Graham Parlett
i. Elegy (Adagio ma non troppo)
ii. Ostinato (Andante con moto)
iii. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)

Viola Concerto No.2 (with string orchestra) (1979)
i. Lento
ii. Allegro molto
iii. Adagio
iv. Allegro Quasi cadenza

Passacaglia Stereophonica (1960) Allegro moderato

Helen Callus (viola)
BBC Concert Orchestra
Stephen Bell (conductor)

World premiere recordings

Recorded: St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 13-15 July 2010