Walton - Sinfonie Nr. 1 | Semyon Bychkov | WDR Sinfonieorchester

William Waltons Sinfonie Nr. 1 b-Moll, gespielt vom WDR Sinfonieorchester unter der Leitung seines damaligen Chefdirigenten Semyon Bychkov. Live aufgenommen in der Kölner Philharmonie am 18. Oktober 2009. Historische Aufnahme aus dem WDR Klassik-Archiv.

William Walton - Sinfonie Nr. 1 b-Moll

00:00:00 I. Allegro Assai
00:14:42 II. Presto con Malizia
00:21:21 III. Andante con Malinconia
00:32:36 IV. Maestoso – Allegro, Brioso Ed Ardentemente – Vivacissimo – Maestoso

WDR Sinfonieorchester
Semyon Bychkov, Leitung

Die erste Sinfonie des britischen Komponisten Sir William Walton ist ein komplexes Werk mit einer ausgeprägten harmonischen und kontrapunktischen Struktur. Seine Uraufführung 1935 wurde sehnsüchtig erwartet und von der britischen Öffentlichkeit als "historischer Abend für die britische Musik" gefeiert. Die Sinfonie wurde zu einem der meistaufgeführten Werke der englischen Musik.

[BritinIsrael]

I just love this symphony having first heard it when i was 15 yrs old at a Halle concert in Manchester UK in 1964. Yes, im almost 76 now lol. Walton composed some wonderful music and has much more in common with Holst than with Elgar who represented the end of the era of English romantic music . ( Vaughan-Williams was a wonderful combination of both styles ). This is a brilliant performance and a beautiful recording quality which catches the crispness and vitality of all the instruments . The brass are truly outstanding. Bychkov is great conductor who studies all his scores minutely . I am very fortunate to have attended many of his concerts recently with the Czech Phil in the Rudolfinum Prague. I also attended more than one rehearsel of Mahler's 6th and 7th which they performed during the past 2 years. Thank you for the upload of this great symphony.

[guybebb]

I have played this symphony many times in a London Orchestra, now long since retired. I was struck by the expressions on the musicians faces of this wonderful orchestra, sheer enjoyment of the music and the obvious respect of the craftsmanship of Walton in writing this symphony. German orchestras play English composers as equals to any homegrown orchestra. A joy to listen to. Bravo!

[CarldeFigueiredo-lfgc]

Absolutely love this performance of this fabulous symphony. WDR SO and Bychkov really 'get' this music, in my humble opinion. Bravissimi!

[ukdavepianoman]

As someone who adores this blockbuster of a symphony, the first thing that strikes me is how much Bychkov "gets" this symphony. A really fantastic performance, especially movements 2, 3, 4 (it seemed to me the orchestra had warmed up after a not quite so convincing first movement). A small detail but those final "Sibelian" stabbing chords are fantastic. Also wonderful to hear a bravo at the end of this performance - well deserved.

[mikiimai]

11:09 this is one of most epic and dramatic camerawork I witnessed in concert video! It really captured the climax of the movement 1

[aramkhachaturian]

Wow, this has to be the best recording I have heard for this piece. Incredibly clear brass, orchestra speaks very well, just the overall balance is extremely well done. Conductor also did a marvelous job. Beautiful

[lowe]

Wow Wow Wow. What an incredible performance. Clear and bright with all the right accents. Nothing boring here. And the audio/video is always fantastic with this channel. Thank you for sharing this.

[joellazar]

Hell of a good performance! Haven't heard the piece live since I lived in London in the early 1970s and rarely thought British performances, however 'idiomatic' or well-meant, lived up to its potential. This restored my faith in the

[etc.-]

I think I've have watched this YouTube video more than any other. This is my go-to piece to listen to.

[MichaelConwayBaker]

Fabulous performance. But also what a great conductor. Not a cue, dynamic indication was missed. The phrasing was faultless! Incredible. Thanks for much for this posting!!

[timothycoleman]

This is an amazing performance; superbly conducted but wonderfully played by an orchestra with a feeling both for the idiom but also for the ambiguity of this very British masterpiece.

[shantihealer]

The emotional impact of this symphony is enormous and it's a gripping listen from first note to last. A full-blooded, passionately committed performance, bravo indeed!

[pauldelcour]

Just wondeful. This is one of my all time favourite symphonies, fantastic harmonies and energy. Here sometimes a bit on the slow side, but it sure does bring out the clarity of the music, all the parts and their interaction. Bravo! What a piece!

[Casio]

When I first heard this as a teenager, the section at 27:42 left me with my jaw on the floor, and 40-odd years later, it's still one of the most beautiful few bars of music I've ever heard.

[matthiashartge]

Wow, was für ein beeindruckendes Werk. Ich finde Walton sollte öfter gespielt werden. Massiv underrated; gerade in Deutschland :D

[barrydavis]

An excellent upload. The sound is forward and has good impact. The important percussion is caught well but the vital tam tam player seemed a little reluctant to hit the damn thing (I am/was a percussionist, so I have a vested interest). Seriously, this is a valuable addition to YouTube and Many thanks for it.

[coasterdragon]

love it so much!! it is so so great--epic sometimes, laid-back at others. it's great

[petertaplin]

Absolutely fabulous performance! Bychkov and the orchestra clearly loved playing it. Especially loved the cheeky grin of the principal clarinet getting right into it! Bravo a million times!

[waqasahmed]

This performance hits your whole being bull's eye. Some performances make some works stand out before you in body and soul in their full glory. That speaks volumes for the sheer brilliance expressed through the passionate faces of the performers, making one to consider this work in the line of such symphonic greats like Dvorak' 9th, Beethoven's 3rd or 5th, Mahler's 2nd, Brahms' 4th or Sibelius' 5th.

[ana_maria]

A special pleasure to listen to this masterpiece. 🎼
I wish you all the best!