William Walton

Humphrey Burton

"William Walton's reputation has never been higher - his masterworks remain firm favourites with public and performers, notably his eloquent concertos, his dramatic cantata Belshazzar's Feast, his vivid film scores (such as Henry V), his powerful First Symphony and the sparkling entertainment Facade." "Born in the cotton town of Oldham, Walton's life was transformed when he won a choral scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford. He soon lost his Lancashire accent but never his innate canniness. His remarkable creative gifts were spotted by the Sitwell family, who encouraged him to quit university, live with them in Jazz-Age London and earn his living purely as a composer." "An idyllic relationship with a beautiful German princess ended in emotional turmoil that nearly scuppered his First Symphony. But then Walton became the lover of Alice, Viscountess Wimborne (22 years his senior), a...

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