Milhaud: Viola Concerto 2 (Primrose, Rosbaud, WDR)

William Primrose (viola), Hans Rosbaud (conductor), and the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne playing Darius Milhaud's Viola Concerto No.2 (1955)
I. Avec entrain: 0:00
II. Avec charm: 4:42
III. Avec esprit: 11:05
IV. Avec gaite: 15:46
Recorded on November 27, 1958

Sheet music:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sm/7...

From Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose:
"The orchestration of the Second Milhaud Concerto is very good. My only objection to that concerto, which incidentally I commissioned, is that it is almost unplayable because of its unrelenting technical demands on the soloist. I worked on that concerto much longer than other works that I played. I remember well when Milhaud showed me his score. I am a very quick reader, and so I suggested to him, 'Darius, when I am finished with my recitals in San Francisco, I will come over to Mills College, and we will go through it.' Next morning I called and said I didn't think I would come over just then after all. 'This is a very difficult work!' He answered, 'Mon cher monsieur, a concerto is supposed to be difficult.' I got through it with him, but it was hard work, and it was always exhausting to play, physically exhausting.
Though beautifully scored, the Second Milhaud Concerto is rarely played. In my opinion, the great mistake which he made was in putting what melodies there are, especially in the slow movements, entirely in the orchestra. The viola is skipping high heels all over the place without a moment's rest. There are sixths and thirds and octave jumps from lower to higher positions and back again, round robin. Unfortunately, the concerto did not engage the approval of the public, so all that work went for nothing."