William Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast" originated from a 1929 BBC commission for a small choral work, but the material quickly outgrew the initial concept.
Composition History
Walton's Symphony No. 1 was so eagerly anticipated that it was first performed without its finale, and recorded within a month of its first complete performance.
Compositional Technique
For "Belshazzar's Feast," Walton's orchestra includes unusual instruments like the high E-flat clarinet, alto saxophone, and a large percussion section with wood block, slapstick, and anvil.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live at the Barbican, London, with "Belshazzar's Feast" recorded in September 2008 and Symphony No. 1 in September and December 2005.
Performer Biography
Sir Colin Davis, the conductor on this album, was the London Symphony Orchestra's Principal Conductor from 1995 to 2006 and later became its President.
Composer Biography
Sir William Walton, born in 1902, was largely self-taught as a composer, despite receiving encouragement from Oxford musical figures.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Walton considered "Belshazzar's Feast" less an oratorio and more a three-movement choral symphony, demonstrating his tight control over the material.
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