description Belshazzar's Feast (Walton) Overview
Belshazzar's Feast is a cantata by English composer William Walton, first performed in 1931, for baritone soloist, mixed chorus, and a large orchestra that includes prominent brass and percussion. Osbert Sitwell assembled its English text from biblical passages concerning the Babylonian feast, the writing on the wall, and the fall of Belshazzar. The work combines forceful rhythms, vivid orchestration, and demanding choral writing for concert performance.
help Belshazzar's Feast (Walton) FAQ
Why does Belshazzar's Feast require extra brass bands?
Walton added two antiphonal brass groups to the already large orchestra after conductor Thomas Beecham encouraged him to expand the forces. Their fanfare-like exchanges make the Babylonian spectacle and final celebration physically overwhelming in a concert hall.
What happens to Belshazzar in Walton's cantata?
Belshazzar holds a feast using sacred vessels stolen from Jerusalem, and a supernatural hand writes his judgment on the wall. He is killed that same night, after which the enslaved people celebrate Babylon's fall.
Who wrote the words for Belshazzar's Feast?
Osbert Sitwell assembled the English libretto from passages in the Bible, especially the Book of Daniel and the Psalms. Walton set it for baritone soloist, mixed chorus, and a very large orchestra.
Where was Belshazzar's Feast first performed?
The premiere took place at the Leeds Festival in 1931, conducted by Malcolm Sargent. The work became one of Walton's best-known choral compositions despite the unusually large forces required.
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