William Walton
.jpg)
William Walton
1902-1983
Having recently finished a listening series on the music of Sir Malcolm Arnold, it seemed only fitting to follow up with his good friend Sir William Walton.
Walton was a 20th-Century British composer, known for his forward-looking modernism. Yet, like so many composers who lived a good, long life, he was later labeled as behind the times. He seems to have dabbled in many Classical Music genres, both for stage and screen, as well as the concert hall.
I must admit I know precious little music from Sir William. His symphonies, the curious Façade music, his choral pieces including the great Belshazzar's Feast, and some of his smaller orchestral works are what I know best. Apparently the composer was a notoriously slow worker, given to bouts of writer's block, so exploring his music shouldn't be so intense.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand
(Click orange links to visit a musing):
1988: Symphony 1
1989: Belshazzar's Feast (Shaw)
1989: Belshazzar's Feast (Willcocks)
1990: Battle of Britain
1991: Ballets
1991: Cello Concerto
1991: In Honour of the City of London
2005: Christopher Columbus
2005: Symphony 2
2007: Hamlet
2007: Richard III
2010: Façade
2011: String Quartets
2013: Piano Quartet
2017: Violin Concerto
2018: Viola Concerto
Bits 'n Bobs
- Orchestral