Walton’s Symphony No 1 and Belshazzar’s Feast, which were written consecutively, helped him consolidate his reputation as the most exciting British composer of his generation. Belshazzar’s Feast, a superbly crafted oratorio, vividly depicts the story of Babylon’s excesses and subsequent downfall, brilliantly coloured by the orchestral forces, including two brass bands. Similarly effervescent, volcanic sentiments simmer beneath the surface of the First Symphony, the music conveying the tensions of the 1930s, whilst remaining timeless in its appeal.

Composer Walton
Conductor Sir Colin Davis
Performers London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
Soloist Peter Coleman-Wright

Belshazzar's Feast
1. I. "Thus Spake Isaiah"
2. II. A Tempo - "If I Forget Thee"
3. III. "By the Waters of Babylon"
4. IV. "Babylon Was a Great City"
5. V. "Praise Ye the God of Gold!"
6. VI. Allegro Molto - "Thus in Babylon"
7. VII. "Thou, O King, Art King of Kings"
8. VIII. "And in That Same Hour"
9. IX. "The Trumpeters and Pipers"
10. X. Allegro - "Then Sing Aloud to God Our Strength"

Symphony No. 1
11. I. Allegro assai
12. II. Scherzo - Presto, con malizia
13. III. Andante con malincolia
14. IV. Maestoso - Brioso ed ardentemente - Vivacissimo - Maestoso

Release date 28 February 2011
LSO0681 | 822231168126

Producer James Mallinson
Engineers Classic Sound Ltd

Recorded September 2008 (Belshazzar's Feast) and December 2005 (Symphony No 1 ), Barbican, London

DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording
Notes in English / en français / auf Deutsch
Text in English
Sung in English

FLAC - 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Compatible with all CD players