Teng was interviewed by Schmopera in advance of her upcoming Walton Viola Concerto performances with the Toronto Symphony, November 9 & 11, 2016.  Click here to read the full feature.

Here’s a snippet:

The Walton Concerto has become one of the most standard repertoires in viola literature. In the baroque, classical, and romantic period, the viola has typically been neglected as a solo instrument, it probably had something to do with the low standard of viola playing. In the 20th century, many fantastic violists started rising, performing as chamber musicians and soloists. Thanks to them, many composers started writing for the viola; Walton’s Viola Concerto was one of these works (premiered in 1929). It showcases the viola’s dark and warm characters, and allows the performers to showcase their lyrical singing voice and virtuosity using lots of difficult double-stop passages and fast playing. Walton also shows influences of jazz and some eastern music in this work.