When Emanuel Vardi passed away in January 2011, the music world lost a remarkable musician and a unique human being. Very few, if any, can compare with his remarkable achievements as one of the greatest violists within memory, as well as his excellence as a violinist, conductor, and composer. The program includes rare long-out-of-print performances and a never-available-before live recording of the Walton Viola Concerto.

Article in NY Times about Manny:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/arts/music/07vardi.html

ODEON PARTOS: Yizkor
(In Memoriam)
Emanuel Vardi, Viola
MGM String Orchestra conducted by Isler Solomon
(Recorded 1957)

PAUL HINDEMITH: Trauermusik
(Music of Mourning)
Emanuel Vardi, Viola
MGM String Orchestra conducted by Isler Solomon
(Recorded 1957)

MICHAEL COLGRASS: Variations for Four Drums and Viola
Emanuel Vardi, Viola
Michael Colgrass, Percussion
(Recorded 1959)

TIBOR SERLY: Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra with Percussion
Emanuel Vardi, Violin
The Vienna Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Tibor Serly
(Recorded 1976)

WILLIAM WALTON: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
Emanuel Vardi, Viola
American Broadcasting Symphony conducted by Joseph Stopak
(Recorded 1943)

Total playing time: 75:02