The music of William Walton

[Barbirollians]

Didn't the Sargent have the misfortune to come out at the same time as the Previn and its qualities were underrated as a result . Now available again in a 5CD British Composers box coupled with Previn's second Symphony and marvellous Belshazzar's feast

[Bryn]

Didn't the Sargent have the misfortune to come out at the same time as the Previn and its qualities were underrated as a result .

It did indeed, though as I recall the relative merits and demerits of the two recordings divided opinions at the time. I went for the Previn and only got round to the Sargent a year or two ago. Essential listening for Walton fans, I'd say.

[Parry1912]

No contents yet but herewith a new Walton Collector's Edition (whatever that means).
http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProduct...209&sku=834286

Just noticed that it is cheaper at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sir-William-...xgy_m_h__img_b

Cheaper still at Sainsbury's:
http://www.sainsburysentertainment.c...duct=E11106971

[visualnickmos]

I've always been a Walton fan...

And LOVE his chamber music.

[hafod]

Cheaper still at Sainsbury's:
http://www.sainsburysentertainment.c...duct=E11106971

Substantially so!! It is very difficult getting one's mind to associate classical music with Sainsbury's. Should we be looking at other supermarkets or are these sites also as hit and miss to search as Sainsbury's?

[Thomas Roth]

There are quite a few great recordings of the first symphony besides Previn/LSO. Thomson, Haitink, Handley ... Also, I much prefer the RPO/Previn of Belshazzar´s Feast to his earlier with LSO. Walton was a truly great composer and I love his later pieces.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There are quite a few great recordings of the first symphony besides Previn/LSO. Thomson, Haitink, Handley ...

... and Slatkin, Mackerras, Daniel (Boult, anyone? ... Karajan??) ...
In fact, can anyone think of a duff recording of this tremendous work?

It's just that the first Previn has (for me) that little bit extra.

[Caliban]

... and Slatkin, Mackerras, Daniel (Boult, anyone? ... Karajan??) ...
In fact, can anyone think of a duff recording of this tremendous work?

It's just that the first Previn has (for me) that little bit extra.

Karajan?! That's just a dream, no? He never conducted it, did he?

I agree about the piece and the versions (though I haven't ever heard the Sargent, and now want to).

And yet, and yet, and yet... No version has ever quite ticked all the boxes compared with the performance I hear in my head... The woodwind at the start are not quite jazzy enough; or the timps not quite percussive enough; or the gongs and cymbals not quite splashy enough... I think there's still room for a performance to top the lot.

I'll just have to learn how to conduct...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Karajan?! That's just a dream, no? He never conducted it, did he?

Unless this is an elaborate April Fools' jape:

http://www.musicweb-international.co...n1_4574332.htm

I agree about the piece and the versions (though I haven't ever heard the Sargent, and now want to).

And yet, and yet, and yet... No version has ever quite ticked all the boxes compared with the performance I hear in my head... The woodwind at the start are not quite jazzy enough; or the timps not quite percussive enough; or the gongs and cymbals not quite splashy enough... I think there's still room for a performance to top the lot.

I'll just have to learn how to conduct...

You may laugh: I'd buy it!


EDIT: Hold on! The Philharmonia and Legge but issued by Deutsche Grammophon?! Has to be a spoof?
But this isn't:

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/.../emi62869a.php

[Thomas Roth]

The one on DG is a fake, but he did it with an Italian orchestra, with some cuts. A fantastic performance.