Shorter Orchestral Works 2: William Walton Edition Vol. 18

Shorter Orchestral Works Volume 2 : William Walton Edition vol. 18 contains newly edited versions of a number of Walton's shorter pieces for orchestra, including the ever-popular Facade Suites. Contents: Facade: First Suite for Orchestra (Polka; Valse; Swiss Jodelling Song; Tango-Pasodoble; Tarantella Sevillana) ; Facade: Second Suite for Orchestra (Fanfare; Scotch Rhapsody; Country Dance; Noche Espanola; Popular Song; Old Sir Faulk) ; Siesta ; Music for Children ; Galop Final ; Sonata for String Orchestra Author Biography: Sir William Walton was born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1902, the son of a choirmaster and a singing-teacher. He became a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and then an undergraduate at the University. His first composition to attract attention was a piano quartet written at the age of sixteen. At Oxford he made the acquaintance of the Sitwells who gave him friendship, moral and financial support and in 1922 he collaborated with Edith in devising the entertainment Belshazzar's Feast. From 1922 to 1927 Walton began to spend an increasing amount of time abroad, notably in Switzerland and Italy. The war years were devoted mainly to writing film and ballet scores and he became established as amongst the greatest composers for the screen.