- Written between 1931-35, Walton’s first symphony was created with much angst and self-doubt. The composer struggled with how to conceive of the symphonic tradition in his own way, particularly in light of the substantial precedent set by Sibelius.
- While the first three movements had been performed as early as 1934, the complete symphony was finally premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1936.1
- To add some context, Britain in the 1930s was an incredibly prolific period for the symphony. Works by Sibelius were incredibly popular among concert-going audiences. English composers such as Vaughan Williams, Bax, and Armstrong Gibbs were likewise producing some of their most notable symphonic works. At the same time, there was an emerging school of thought that the symphony genre was played out.
- It’s no surprise, then, that Walton struggled to get his first symphony down on paper amid such a climate. Luckily for Walton, Symphony No. 1 received a successful premiere. It’s even considered one of the greatest symphonic works of the 20th century.2
- Symphony No. 1 is a daring piece for Walton and is considered a masterpiece. It’s striking in its duality – dissonant and sweet, declamatory and restrained, innovative and reminiscent of 19th-century Romanticism.
Sources
- Byron Adams, “Walton, Sir William,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed September 20, 2022, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040016.
- Lewis Foreman, Essay in accompanying booklet, Walton: Symphony No. 1 performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis, LS 0076, 2006, compact disc.
Cut IDs
10109 22051