Carolyn J. Smith - Böcker

This bio-bibliography of one the most important contemporary British composers begins with a brief biographical sketch. Works and first performances are listed alphabetically by title, and each entry is followed by the relevant bibliographic citation numbers. The discography includes sound recordings in all formats. The major portion of the work, the bibliography, is divided into articles and reviews; books, theses, and dissertations; articles by Walton; and films. The archival section lists collections of Walton's music manuscripts, letters, and miscellanea. Two appendices contain a chronological listing of works and first performances, and a works lists arranged by classification. An index of individuals and performance ensembles completes the work, which will serve as a significant addition to university libraries and departments of music.William Turner Walton (1902-1983) was born in Oldham, England. He showed an early talent for composition and had written several significant works by 1916. Following his failure to graduate from Oxford, Walton took up residence with the Sitwell family in Chelsea and embarked upon one of the most productive phases of his career. Acclaimed as a milestone in British choral music, Belshazzar's Feast premiered in 1931, and its instant success established Walton firmly among the ranks of important contemporary British composers. Subsequently, Walton began work on his Symphony No. 1 and simultaneously wrote his first film score, one of many first-class scores he composed for movies including As You Like It, Henry V, and Chekhov's Three Sisters. Walton traveled to Argentina in 1948, where he met and married his wife Susana. The couple returned to London, but soon relocated to a villa on Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples. Another fruitful period ensued, marked by many important commissions. The composer died in 1983, and a foundation was later established for the purpose of transforming the villa into a performing arts center.

A guide to the music of Britain's most prominent living composer, this volume contains the most complete listing available of Davies's works (unpublished as well as published) plus a comprehensive discography and a bibliography of nearly 1,000 items. Each entry is keyed to the discography and the annotated bibliography. There is also a brief biography. Maxwell Davies is extremely prolific, with nearly 300 compositions to his credit so far. He is also a conductor of distinction. This work will be of interest to scholars and students as well as anyone interested in 20th-century composers.Davies currently holds the posts of Associate Conductor/Composer with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic, among other positions. Moreover, he has been a strong voice in support of music education in Britain and has composed many works for children and young performers. When he taught music to children, he encouraged them to compose, believing that most have a natural musical ability.

Kenneth Leighton, best known for his organ and sacred choral music, was a composer of great depth and talent who wrote a significant body of works. Many of those works were written for large orchestras and a significant number of pieces of chamber music were composed for a variety of instrument groupings, as well as for instrumental solos. Anyone interested in 20th-century music as well as British and Scottish Cathedral music will find a wealth of works listed with a description of each.Kenneth Leighton, best known for his organ and sacred choral music, was a composer of great depth and talent who wrote a significant body of works. Many of those works were written for large orchestras and a significant number of pieces of chamber music were composed for a variety of instrument groupings, as well as for instrumental solos. Anyone interested in 20th-century music as well as British and Scottish Cathedral music will find a wealth of works listed with a description of each.This volume begins with a brief biography of Leighton and is followed by an alphabetical listing of works and performances. Also included is a discography and a bibliography of articles, reviews, books, and dissertations. The last section is a chronological list of compositions. Smith helps us to realize that Kenneth Leighton was an extraordinary composer of 20th-century music with a varied body of works and also a virtuoso pianist of some note.