BaL 19.11.11. Walton: Belshazzar's Feast

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Saturday 19th November at 9.30 a.m. Jeremy Summerly with a personal recommendation from the available recordings of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast.

[I]Available recordings:[/I]

LSO, C.Davis
LPO Boult
ENPO, Daniel
BBCSO, A Davis
Phil, Willcocks
LSO, Previn
CBSO, Walton
Bournemouth SO, Hill
Phil, Walton

[rauschwerk]

I have Previn and Hickox (nla) of which I prefer the latter, partly because Hickox gets better singing from the LSO Chorus than Previn (who was never a choral specialist) and partly because it's better recorded.

[Nick Armstrong]

Another BAL to look forward to !

[VodkaDilc]

Saturday 19th November at 9.30 a.m. Jeremy Summerly with a personal recommendation from the available recordings of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast.

[I]Available recordings:[/I]

LSO, C.Davis
LPO Boult
ENPO, Daniel
BBCSO, A Davis
Phil, Willsocks
LSO, Previn
CBSO, Walton
Bournemouth SO, Hill
Phil, Walton

I have three recordings: the Walton/Philharmonia, which you've mentioned, plus Sargent with Liverpool/Huddersfield and Previn with the RPO.

[Don Petter]

I see I have:

Previn
A Davis
Walton (Phil)
Slatkin
Ormandy
Boult
Pritchard

Only the first three of which are in EA's list. Presumably the others are nla.

[Anna]

The only one I have is the Previn, I do like BF's very much so this BaL will be interesting as I'd be in the market for another version I think....

[Nick Armstrong]

The only one I have is the Previn, I do like BF's very much so this BaL will be interesting as I'd be in the market for another version I think....

I really like the piece too. I shall have to have a look later, as I can't remember which I have: Rattle, I think, and the Paul Daniel one with those terrific First Symphony and Orb & Sceptre performances. Plus I think I have the Walton conducts Walton box so I must have his performance too, not that I think I've ever listened to it

I wouldn't be surprised if Paul Daniel with Christopher Purves get Jeremy Summerly's vote.

[Chris Newman]

I have the Walton conducts Walton on a cassette. I keep it as a reminder of hearing Willie conduct it himself. I also have the Paul Daniel Naxos version which I find stunning. One of my treasured possessions is a vocal score signed by "Willie" and dedicated to Cristabel, who was Lady Aberconway, his patron (and they say, mistress). I bought it in a jumble sale to use in a performance.

[jayne lee wilson]

Isn't the Bournemouth SO/Chorus/Waynflete one conducted by Andrew Litton? With Hill and Neville Creed as chorus-masters? I think so - it's in the Decca British Music Collection Litton/BSO box, a superb performance in fine sound. The Ormandy/Philadelphia reading (c/w those brilliant Szell Walton performances) is very enjoyable too.

[visualnickmos]

Although I know quite a bit of Walton's orchestral and chamber music, BF is a work that I only know by name. I will be listening with much interest, so I hope it is a good BaL.... I'm sure it will be.

[Nick Armstrong]

I have three recordings: the Walton/Philharmonia, which you've mentioned, plus Sargent with Liverpool/Huddersfield and Previn with the RPO.

I also have three, I find: the Walton/Philharmonia, the Daniel/English Northern Phil previously discussed, and (like you, Vodka) the Previn/RPO version with Benjamin Luxon. Looks like the latter is unavailable. Pity, I think it's great - and Luxon has a real, prophet-like vocal presence... Great recording too, I seem to remember. What do you think?

[verismissimo]

I've only ever had Loughran with the Halle on CfP LP. Not previously mentioned.

I never took to the work, but will give it another go.

[amateur51]

I also have three, I find: the Walton/Philharmonia, the Daniel/English Northern Phil previously discussed, and (like you, Vodka) the Previn/RPO version with Benjamin Luxon. Looks like the latter is unavailable. Pity, I think it's great - and Luxon has a real, prophet-like vocal presence... Great recording too, I seem to remember. What do you think?

He even looks the part, Caliban!

http://www.nepac.org.uk/var/nepac.org.uk/storage/images/media/images/ben-luxon/2390-1-eng-GB/Ben-Luxon_medium.jpg

[Nick Armstrong]

He even looks the part, Caliban!

http://www.nepac.org.uk/var/nepac.or...xon_medium.jpg

Absolutely!!

[VodkaDilc]

I also have three, I find: the Walton/Philharmonia, the Daniel/English Northern Phil previously discussed, and (like you, Vodka) the Previn/RPO version with Benjamin Luxon. Looks like the latter is unavailable. Pity, I think it's great - and Luxon has a real, prophet-like vocal presence... Great recording too, I seem to remember. What do you think?

The Previn/RPO/Luxon recording is my favourite - and reminds us what a superb singer Luxon was when at the peak of his career.

I am surprised to see comments from people who do not know B's Feast. Perhaps it is performed less these days; certainly in the 60s and 70s it was frequently on London concert programmes. I suppose WW 's music in general has suffered a decline since his death.