Symphony 1
Walton's First Symphony caused the composer enormous trouble. Always a slow worker, only the first three movements were ready at the time of the premiere in the mid-1930s, and the finale was long in coming. For that reason, many critics have felt that the last movement doesn't have the same sort of concentration as do the first three. Whether or not you agree, there's no question that this is an exciting conclusion, especially with the crashing entrance of the full percussion section at the finale's climax. This excellent performance comes as a big surprise: at a budget price and with a less-than-well-known orchestra, it's a dynamic and very impressive effort. The energeticPartita,a later work, makes a great companion piece.--David Hurwitz