Half Six Fix: Walton

The Concert

Kick-start your evening with a 60-minute Half Six Fix concert. Introduced by the performers, with screens in the hall to bring you closer to the action.

The Music

William Walton’s First Symphony was written during a period of great stress and personal drama. Worried about friends in Europe and heartbroken after the end of a dramatic love affair Walton couldn’t even finish the work before its first performance, and his turmoil can be heard in the intense opening, snarky Scherzo (directed to be played ‘with malice’) and the tragic slow movement.

The composer finished the symphony under different circumstances, however, and the  finale ushers in a different mood: cinematic and celebratory.

The Performers

This powerful symphony demands equally powerful players: Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO are more than equal to the challenge. It’s a work that’s part of the LSO’s history; the Orchestra gave the first performance of the opening three movements in 1934, conducted by Sir Hamilton Harty.

This music is very emotional, deep, troubled, exciting, violent. The first movement of Walton’s First Symphony … it speaks of somebody under such incredible duress and struggle. It’s an amazing journey.’
Sir Antonio Pappano, LSO Chief Conductor