William Walton (1902-1983)

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Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Description
01	Bright Young Thing	20100201	20120206	Donald Macleod on how Walton became known as the 1920s' most precocious British composer. William Walton is perhaps best defined by a series of paradoxes: the pillar of the British Musical Establishment who lived in voluntary exile; the king of the grand, filmic gesture who harboured deep insecurity; the socialite and ladies' man who often preferred to be alone. Walton hid himself behind an acerbic wit- a statement which has also been made about his writing. Donald Macleod follows him through the distinct eras of his life and explores the many sides to the man and his music. Snatched by the Sitwells from what they saw as an ignominious future as a schoolteacher in Oldham, William Walton became known in London as the most precocious British composer of the 1920's. Donald Macleod delves into the curious world with which Walton became involved. PROMO NOTE DESCRIPTION Façade Reciters: Peter Pears & Edith Sitwell English Opera Group Ensemble Conductor: Anthony Collins ALTO ALC 1026 The Winds Felicity Lott: Soprano Graham Johnson: Piano COLLINS 14932 TRACK 1 Siesta English Northern Sinfonia Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones NAXOS 8.555868 Track 8 Portsmouth Point London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Andre PrevinEMI 0777 7 64723 2 4 Track 11.
02	Happy Prince	20100202		Donald Macleod discovers how Walton became the pre-eminent British composer of the 1930s. Once the slightly risque enfant terrible of the roaring 20's, Walton established himself as the pre-eminent British composer of the 1930's, garnering critical acclaim and popular recognition. Donald Macleod plays some of the music which made his name. Viola Concerto: First Movement- Andante comodo Viola: Nigel Kennedy Conductor: Andre PrevinRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra EMI CDC 7 49628 2 Track 1 Belshazzar's Feast Thus spake Isaiah If I forget thee, O Jerusalem By the waters of Babylon Baritone: John Shirley-Quirk London Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra EMI 0777 7 64723 2 4 Tracks 1-3 Escape Me Never National Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Bernard Herrmann LONDON 448 954-2 Track 10 Symphony No. 1 Third movement- Andante con malinconia Fourth Movement- Maestoso- Brioso ed ardentemente London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Bryden Thomson CHANDOS CHAN 8862.
02	Happy Prince	20100202	20120207	Donald Macleod discovers how Walton became the pre-eminent British composer of the 1930s. Once the slightly risque enfant terrible of the roaring 20's, Walton established himself as the pre-eminent British composer of the 1930's, garnering critical accaim and popular recognition. Donald Macleod plays some of the music which made his name.
03	Wartime Favourite	20100203	20120208	Donald Macleod how Walton's career took a new turn in the wartime era. Walton's career took a new turn in the wartime era: his music was behind some of the greatest patriotic films ever made. Donald Macleod looks at the composer's increasing national importance- and official recognition. Went the day Well" Opening sequence from the film Spitfire Prelude Philharmonia Orchestra Conductor: Sir William Walton EMI 7243 5 65007 2 3 Track 13 Christopher Columbus: A Musical Journey Scenes 8-12 Speaker (Christopher Columbus): Julian GloverSpeaker (Ironic Spirit/Herald): Jamie GloverSpeaker (Sailor/Voice): Philip Lloyd Holtam Soprano (Isabella): Caroline Carragher Mezzo (Beatriz): Jean Rigby Tenor: Tom Randle Baritone: Roderick Williams Guitar: Craig Ogden BBC National Chorus of Wales BBC National Orchestra of Wales Conductor: Richard HickoxCHANDOS CHSA 5034 Tracks 22-32 Henry V- Scenes from the film Prologue, Once more unto the breach, Agincourt, Epilogue Speaker: Sir Laurence Olivier EMI 7243 5 65007 2 3 Tracks 17,18, 24-28 Orb and Sceptre London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Sir Adrian Boult EMI 7243 5 65584 2 7 Track 13." Walton's career took a new turn in the wartime era: his music was behind some of the greatest patriotic films ever made. Donald Macleod looks at the composer's increasing national importance- and official recognition.
04	Ischian Labourer	20100204	20120209	Donald Macleod explores Walton's most difficult years as a composer. Critical failure was something Walton had long foreseen: after the war came his most difficult years as a composer, although this was tempered by his blissful self-imposed exile, with his new wife, on the Italian island of Ischia. Troilus and Cressida Act 2 Sc 1(end of) and 2 Cressida: Judith Howarth Troilus: Arthur Davies English Northern Philharmonia Conductor: Richard HickoxCHANDOS CHAN 9370/1 Tracks 17-19 Cello Concerto Cello: Tim Hugh Conductor: Paul Daniel NAXOS 8.554325 Tracks 4-6 Symphony No. 2 Last Movement: Passacaglia: Tema-Risoluto NAXOS 8.553402 Track 7.
05 LAST	National Treasure	20100205		Donald Macleod surveys Walton's legacy and plays music from his final years. In his later years, Walton was seen as a pillar of the musical establishment- despite living in Italy- although he continued to think of himself as only a partial success. Donald Macleod surveys his legacy and plays music from the composer's final years. A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table Soprano: Felicity Lott Piano: Graham Johnson COLLINS 14932 Track 14 Missa Brevis Kyrie Sanctus and Benedictus Agnus Dei Gloria Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge Organ: Christopher Whitton Conductor: Christopher Robinson NAXOS 8.555793 Tracks 13-16 Improvisations on an Impromptu of Benjamin BrittenLondon Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Andre PrevinEMI 0777 7 64723 2 4 Track 13 MUSIC: Spitfire Music- Battle in the Air London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Carl DavisEMI CDC 7 47944 2 Track 5 Five Bagatelles for Guitar 5. Con slancio Guitar: Tom Kerstens EMI 7243 5 55404 2 3 Track 11 Passacaglia for Solo Cello Paul Watkins Hyperion CDA67340 Track 12 March for A History of the English Speaking Peoples EMI CDC 7 47944 2 Track 15.
05 LAST	National Treasure	20100205	20120210	Donald Macleod surveys Walton's legacy and plays music from his final years. In his later years, Walton was seen as a pillar of the musical establishment- despite living in Italy- although he continued to think of himself as only a partial success. Donald Macleod surveys his legacy and plays music from the composer's final years.

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