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William Walton

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description William Walton Overview

William Walton (1902–1983) was an English composer who wrote in various genres, including orchestral, chamber, and choral music, as well as film scores. He achieved early recognition with the "Façade" orchestral suite and the dramatic cantata "Belshazzar's Feast" (1931), which remains one of his most celebrated works. Walton also composed two symphonies, an opera ("Troilus and Cressida"), and the coronation marches "Crown Imperial" and "Orb and Sceptre." His film scores include adaptations of Shakespearean plays like "Henry V."

help William Walton FAQ

What story does Walton's Belshazzar's Feast tell?

The cantata recounts the biblical fall of Babylon, including Belshazzar's feast, the mysterious writing on the wall, and the liberation of the Jews. It uses baritone soloist, large chorus, orchestra, and additional brass.

Which William Walton march was written for a coronation?

Crown Imperial was written for the coronation of King George VI in 1937. Walton later composed Orb and Sceptre for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Why is Walton's Façade performed with spoken poetry?

Façade began as an entertainment in which Edith Sitwell recited her rhythmically intricate poems through a megaphone-like device while Walton's small ensemble played. Its mixture of jazz, dance forms, and eccentric verse made it a distinctive 1920s work.

Did William Walton write the music for Laurence Olivier's Shakespeare films?

Yes. Walton scored Olivier's Henry V, Hamlet, and Richard III. These films helped establish him as a major British film composer as well as a concert composer.