William Walton Façade / Music from Henry V / Orb and Sceptre

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:35:50 +0000

“[Anthony] Collins’ recording of Façade is a Gramophone classic. … [Edith] Sitwell had one of the richest and most characterful speaking voices, and here she recites her early poems to the masterful, witty music of the youthful [William] Walton with glorious relish. Peter Pears is splendid too in the fast poems, rattling off the lines like the grande dame herself, to demonstrate how near-nonsence can be pure poetry.” — Gramophone

Alto brings together for the first time three landmark recordings of British composer William Walton: the famous Sitwell/Pears Façade, scenes from Henry V read by Laurence Olivier accompanied by Walton’s stirring music for the eponymous film, and Sir Malcolm Sargent’s recording of Orb and Sceptre.

Sir William Walton

Façade (text: Edith Sitwell)
Peter Pears and Edith Sitwell, narrators / English Opera Group Ensemble / Anthony Collins, conductor

[1] Fanfare 0:32
[2] Hornpipe 1:11
[3] En famille 3:07
[4] Mariner Man 0:43
[5] Long Steel Grass 2:03
[6] Through Gilded Trellises 2:20
[7] Tango – Pasadoble 1:53
[8] Lullaby For Jumbo 1:32
[9] Black Mrs. Behemoth 0:58
[10] Tarantella 1:15
[11] A Man From A Far Countree 1:27
[12] By The Lake 1:45
[13] Country Dance 1:50
[14] Polka 1:27
[15] Four In The Morning 2:40
[16] Something Lies Beyond The Scene 0:58
[17] Valse 3:07
[18] Jodelling Song 2:32
[19] Scotch Rhapsody 1:15
[20] Popular Song 1:57
[21] Fox-trot: “Old Sir Faulk” 2:03
[22] Sir Beelzebub 1:11

Scenes from Henry V (text:Shakespeare)
Sir Laurence Olivier, narrator / Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus / Sir William Walton, conductor

[23] Act Three, Scene 1: “Once more into the breach…” 5:57
[24] Act Four, Prologue: “Now enter conjecture of a time…” 2:59
[25] Act Four, Scene 1: “Upon the King! Let us our lives…” 3:39
[26] Act Four, Scene Three: ” This day is called the Feast of Crispian…” 5:14
[27] Act Four, Scene Three: ” My duty to you both with equal love…” 8:29
[28] Epilogue 1:33

(recorded in 1946)

Coronation March “Orb and Sceptre” 7:36
London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Malcolm Sargent, conductor
(recorded in 1954)

Produced by Tony Watts.
Remastered by Hilton Grove London

Sir Laurence Olivier – Alto CD

William Walton Façade / Music from Henry V / Orb and Sceptre