Walter Hilgers

Without disturbing existing recommen-
dations (Vernon Handley’s Liverpool -
recording for EMI probably winning -
the race by a short head), Walter Hil-
gers steers an admirable course through
this pastoral and ecstatic work – flow-
ing, unmannered and sympathetic –
and gets to the emotional core of the
music without distraction. The scherzo
flies by, maybe not as gossamer as
ideal, and rather shoe-horned, but
traced with certainty and made vivid,
too much perhaps. The heartfelt slow

movement draws in the emotions, and
if rather too volatile and not ‘distant’
enough, there’s no doubting the vibran-
cy with which the music is essayed. The
finale has a spring its step, and if the
ride to the climax lacks poise, there is a
fine sense of consolation in the final bars.

The notes and presentation confuse some
of the compositional dates, but this is a re-
freshing view of wonderful music, and re-
commendable as such.

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