QUINCY PORTER (1896-1966): Viola Concerto, Duo for Violin and Viola, Duo for Viola and Harp or Harpsichord, Poem for Viola and Piano, Speed Etude for Viola and Piano, Suite for Solo Viola, Blues Lontains for Viola and Piano.

Description: Composed in 1948 and dedicated to William Primrose, Porter's concerto and the same clarity of line, lyricism and expressiveness, often through intimate orchestration, as one finds in his symphonies, prevail here too. The solo and chamber works date from as early as 1928 (Blues Lontains) to 1957 (the harp/harpsichord duo, both versions of which are recorded here) and illustrate the description of Porter's music by composer, teacher and critic Herbert Elwell "so lithe and well-tailored as to suggest a trim sloop taking the breeze... clean, clear-headed" although you will find some seasonings of dissonance in the violin/viola duo. Eliesha Nelson (viola), Northwest Sinfonia; John McLaughlin Williams (piano, violin), Douglas Roth (harp).