Walton: Symphonies 1 & 2 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra & Kirill Karabits

• William Walton (1902-1983): Symphony No.1 in B-Flat Minor:
• 1I. Allegro assai13:52
• 2II. Scherzo. Presto con malizia06:25
• 3III. Andante con malinconia10:42
• 4IV. Maestoso. Brioso ed ardentemente12:22
• Symphony No.2:
• 5I. Allegro molto09:51
• 6II. Lento assai10:33
• 7III. Passacaglia (Theme – variations 1–10 – Fugue – Coda scherzando)09:57
• Total Runtime01:13:42

Info for Walton: Symphonies 1 & 2

Walton’s First Symphony burst onto the musical scene in 1935 and quickly became recognised as a masterpiece. The influence of Sibelius and Beethoven can clearly be heard, but it is Walton’s brilliant use of the orchestra and grasp of form that shines through: a remarkable achievement for a composer of 33 years. The Second symphony has never had an easy time, in both escaping the shadow of its older sibling, and in overcoming the hostility of the late 1950s and early '60s when avant-garde was de rigeur. Fortunately it is now clearly a masterpiece to rank alongside No.1. It is assured, mature and confident, subtle and refined, from a composer at the top of his game. High voltage performances from Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is Classic FM’s Orchestra in the South of England. It was formed in 1893 and throughout its illustrious history it has worked with some of the finest composers, conductors and musicians in the world including Elgar, Bartók, Sibelius, Holst, Stravinsky, Vaughan Williams and Sir Thomas Beecham.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Kirill Karabits, conductor

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
On May 22 1893, a young Dan Godfrey lifted his baton for the first time and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra was born. In the 120 years that have since passed, the BSO has worked with some of the greatest names in classical music, toured the world and inspired generations of music makers and music lovers.

From humble beginnings in Bournemouth’s Winter Gardens, Sir Dan laid the foundations for decades of musical success and innovation. Collaborations with composers including Holst and Vaughan Williams followed, as did appearances on the podium by Elgar, Sibelius and Stravinsky among many others. A legacy of groundbreaking recordings began in 1914 and BBC radio broadcasts were first made in 1923.

Under the guidance of esteemed Principal Conductors including Rudolf Schwarz, Charles Groves, Constantin Silvestri and Paavo Berglund the Orchestra became increasingly musically adventurous while performing ever more throughout the South and South West. International tours followed from 1965, and lasting acclaim from Berglund’s legendary Sibelius recordings.

Americans Andrew Litton and Marin Alsop – the first female Principal Conductor of a British orchestra – brought a new artistic flavour to the Orchestra, and with it a Grammy Award winning recording together with performances on some of the iconic stages of the world. As the BSO celebrates its 120th anniversary, current Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Conductor Award for his work with the BSO throughout its home region and beyond.

Kirill Karabits
Named winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Conductor Award for 2012, Kirill Karabits is one of the most dynamic and exciting conductors in the world today.

2013/14 marks his fifth season as Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a relationship that has received widespread critical acclaim. Highlights include three performances at the BBC Proms, a complete Beethoven symphony cycle and the best-selling CD The Silver Violin in collaboration with Nicola Benedetti, while an exciting adventure is just beginning with the recording of Prokofiev’s symphonic works.

Having studied at the National Tchaikovsky Music Academy in Kiev and the Vienna Hochschule für Musik, Kirill has conducted throughout the world with orchestras including the BBC Symphony, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Budapest Festival Orchestra.

Booklet for Walton: Symphonies 1 & 2