Oxford University Press Vocal Music: William Walton Edition vol. 8

For voice and piano or guitar This volume contains newly edited versions of all Walton's songs for voice and piano, together with Anon in Love for voice and guitar and songs from radio plays. It also includes the first publication of the scores of the orchestral versions of Anon in Love and A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table. Walton wrote songs throughout his life, the first, 'Tell me where is Fancy bred?', written when he was a chorister at Christ Church, Oxford, the last, A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table, a song-cycle for Elisabeth Schwarzkopf written in the early 1960s. They all reveal his ear for word-setting, an imaginative response to the text, and an ability to conjure striking musical images from his chosen material. About the Author 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.