Author Description
The British composer William Walton (1902-1983) is one of the formost English composers of the twentieth century. His works are in the standard international concert repertoire. This is, however, the only full-length book devoted to the study of his music (1974). It includes a detailed descriptive analysis of all the more important works, together with general notes on Walton’s style, and a complete list of works.For this second edition eight illustrative plates have been added, and there is also a new chapter on the works composed since the book’s first publication in 1965.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the stylistic evolution and structural characteristics of William Walton’s compositions within the context of twentieth-century British music. Frank Stewart Howes, a noted music critic and scholar, utilizes his extensive knowledge of the British concert repertoire to provide a comprehensive analytical framework. The text evaluates Walton’s technical development and his contribution to the international canon through detailed examinations of his major scores.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Descriptive analysis of Walton’s major orchestral, choral, and chamber works
- General overview of Walton’s compositional style and harmonic language
- A comprehensive catalog of the composer’s works
- Illustrative plates and supplementary chapters covering post-1965 compositions
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive biographical narrative of the composer’s personal life
- It does not cover works composed after the second edition’s publication date
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding Walton’s specific place in the twentieth-century musical landscape. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a primary resource for students and performers of the composer's repertoire.
Page Count:
264
Publication Date:
1974-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0193154315
ISBN-13:
9780193154315
Biography
Music
Musicology
20th Century
Music theory