Great
Classical Music
Composers

William WALTON

29 March 1902 - 8 March 1983 (age 80)

Portrait by Paul Helm ©
click on image for more info

Walton was acclaimed as England's successor to Elgar. His best known works are Façade, Balshazzar's Feast and his Symphony No1. He later did a lot of film music and collaborated with Laurence Olivier on the scores for Shakespeare's Hamlet, Richard III, and Henry V.

Family

Born: on 29 March 1902, Oldham, Lancashire (Aries)
Father: Charles Walton, bass-baritone, local church choirmaster
Mother: singing teacher, Louisa Maria Turner, contralto
Siblings: Noel, Nora, Alexander
Partners:
- Baroness Imma von Doernberg,
- Lady Alice Wimborne - a 15 year relationship
- Wife: Lady Susanna Walton (Susana Gil Passo, Argentinian)
Children: none
Died: Ischia, Italy. 8 March 1983 (age 81)

Works

Opera
* Troilus and Cressida
* The Bear, one-act opera,
Ballet
* The Wise Virgins
* The Quest
Orchestral works
* Symphony No. 1
* Symphony No. 2 "Liverpool"
* Façade Suites for Orchestra
* Crown Imperial, ceremonial march ( for the coronation of George VI)
* Music for Children
* Spitfire Prelude and Fugue
* Orb and Sceptre, ceremonial march

* 2 Viola Concertos
* Cello Concerto
Works for Chorus and Orchestra
* Belshazzar's Feast
* In Honour of the City of London
* Coronation Te Deum ( for the coronation of Elizabeth II)
* Façade, for reciter and chamber ensemble (1922, subsequently revised, based on poems by Edith Sitwell)
Film scores
* As You Like It
* Henry V
* Hamlet
* Richard III
* Battle of Britain
* various music for theater and television

.Quotes

- "To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee."

- "Every man and woman alive is gifted by God in some special way. People who have a self-image of worth are going to see value in what they do. This is the attitude that motivates them to be and to do their best. It's a drive that comes from within people."

Walton on eBay

You will find lots of Walton related items on eBay, some new, some used, some common, some rare. Always good for a browse - you never know what you may find!