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| William Walton |
Sir William Walton (1902-1983) was one of the foremost composers of his generation, though his stature rests on remarkably few pieces as he found composing an arduous process. From the avant-garde entertainment Façade, his major pieces are few but significant. Concertos for violin, viola and cello are joined by two symphonies, the cantata Belshazzar's Feast, and the Coronation Marches which showcase the melodic and patriotic side of his musical personality and which complement the earlier Pomp and Circumstance marches from Edward Elgar, Also notable are the film scores to the Shakespeare adaptations by Lawrence Olivier.
But it is perhaps his First Symphony that is his masterpiece. Walton's difficulty in completing the work led to the first three movements being given their first performance in 1934 before the finale was written. That Walton chose to end the work with a finale replete with fugatos and "pomp and circumstance" passages has led some to the opinion that it's not a fitting conclusion to the tension that's slowly wound up in the first movement, the malicious outbursts of the scherzo or the wistful passion tinged with melancholy of the third movement. It is, however, what Walton gave us, and to my mind at least, it brings the symphony to a satisfying and shattering conclusion, after the brief respite of Walton's own "last post". Click on the sleeve note scan below for more information.
A confession is due here - I am somewhat obsessed with this symphony. Looking on my music server I find that with LP and CD rips, plus digital downloads, I have well over twenty different recordings of it. Perhaps the most idiomatic is Andre Previn's 1967 record with the LSO - somewhat let down by the RCA recording. But one of the most interesting performances (at least of the versions I have on vinyl) is this 1982 Philharmonia record with Bernard Haitink. The symphony - especially in the first movement - has a Sibelian influence, and Haitink overlays this with an almost Mahlerian feel. The tempo of the first movement is slower than most, but the way the tension is slowly increased, relaxed then wound up more is most effective. The Philharmonia's playing in the malicious scherzo is impressive, and the slow movement's woodwind arabesques and passionate string playing are second to none.
Cartridge:Ortofon Xpression MC
Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC
Turntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R
Click to enlarge
Thank you so much for this blog! Like you, I have a special place in my heart for Walton 1. In fact, I took part in a recording, playing 2nd clarinet with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in a performance conducted by Vernon Handley some years ago. I also rather like the one directed by Bryden Thomson with LPO.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is proving an inspiration, both over the whole issue of vinyl, the equipment we use to play it and the art of listening.
You have set me thinking about resurrecting my Garrard 401 and how I might get the best from it! Many thanks indeed.
Hi Walter - thanks for your comment here! I have that Bournemouth SO recording and like it a lot! It's good to know you were part of it ;o) Had this been issued on LP I would have posted it rather than this Haitink recording! Haitink's tempi in the first movement are very much on the slow side and could be taken as ponderous or monumental depending on your point of view. Previn's 1966 RCA is undoubtedly the benchmark (for me at least!)
ReplyDeleteIt was Tod Handley who introduced me to Walton 1 when he conducted it as Music Director of the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra. I was part of the Choirs (Philharmonic and Proteus) there at the time and performances with the orchestra were alway very special. A short while ago I posted Finzi's Intimations of Immortality which we recorded in Guildford Cathedral. My love of 20th Century British music stems from this time and all the works that Tod programmed for the Guildford concerts (that would make a concert promoter today run a mile!).
I think your 401 should get another outing! Vinyl is so much more inconvenient than CDs, downloads or streaming, but so much more satisfying when it gives good results! Plus LPs and their covers are just nice objects. CD booklets never did it for me - most need a magnifying glass to read anyway.
I wish you success in any vinyl journey you undertake and I hope I post more music here you like!
Cheers,
Bob