William Walton's Symphony No. 1 in Bflat minor, performed by the WDR Sinfonieorchester under the baton of its then principal conductor Semyon Bychkov. Recorded live at the Cologne Philharmonie in October 2009. Historical recording from the WDR Klassik archive.

00:00:00 I. Allegro Assai
00:14:42 II. Presto con Malizia
00:21:21 III. andante con malinconia
00:32:36 IV. Maestoso Allegro, Brioso Ed Ardentemente Vivacissimo Maestoso

WDR Symphony Orchestra
Semyon Bychkov, conductor

The first symphony by the British composer Sir William Walton is a complex work with a distinctive harmonic and contrapuntal structure. Its premiere in 1935 was eagerly awaited and hailed by the British public as a "historic evening for British music." The symphony became one of the most performed works in English music.


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