Symphony No. 1 (Walton)

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The Symphony No. 1 in B flat minor by the English composer William Walton was commissioned by Hamilton Harty, and completed in 1935. The first complete performance was given by Harty and the BBC Symphony Orchestra on the 6 November of that year, although a performance of the first three movements had been given the previous December by Harty with the London Symphony Orchestra, whilst Walton struggled with the composition of the finale.

The work is in four movements.

1. Allegro assai
2. Scherzo: Presto con malizia
3. Andante con malinconia
4. Maestoso – Allegro, brioso ed ardentemente – Vivacissimo – Maestoso

It is scored for a symphony orchestra comprising: 2 flutes (second doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B-flat (doubling clarinets in A), 2 bassoons – 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba – 2 timpani, 2 percussion, – strings [1]

The second movement is of note for the con malizia (with malice) performance instruction; allegedly this was inspired after Walton parted with a long-term girlfriend. [2]

[edit] Recordings

Walton's First Symphony has been well-represented on record. Notable recordings include:

• London Symphony Orchestra/Andre Previn (RCA)
• London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras (EMI)
• City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle (EMI)