Walton: Symphony No 1 // Sir Simon Rattle & London Symphony Orchestra

[@originaltommy]

Best f***ing symphony ever. I mean, I love Mahler and all but this is THE BEST!!!! Incredible stuff, never ceases to amaze me...

[@sircles-net]

word

[@originaltommy]

@Pete Jones STONKING!!! ;-)

[@tom2tones223]

Glad this work is gaining traction. Very good Symphony.

[@peloamor349]

I always thought Walton was great but this makes it CLEAR

[@paullewis2413]

According to records, Walton struggled with the last movement of this symphony because he didn't know how to match the tour de force of the first. I think under the circumstances he managed o.k. but I can easily imagine is frustration :-)

[@iankemp1131]

But also he struggled with how to resolve the symphony after the consistent bleakness of the first 3 movements. In fact he had to get to a different place in his life before he could complete it, hence the emotional contrast. But I feel the last movement works splendidly and is a worthy foil to all that has gone before. Especially when played as compellingly at this.

[@Usefulmusic]

What a performance! The most majestic, most stirring music and the most delicate emotions were portrayed here.

[@itbogglesthemind]

It was a long time coming this movement. But everything is so unexpected, and yet it fits. What a great crowning achievement to my favourite symphony of all time.

[@stevieb6368]

Walton's command of rhythm and melody and sheer courage to commit to paper exactly what he meant makes all of his music so very individual and memorable. I grew up with André Previn's recording with the LSO and also love Malcolm Sargent's recording with the Philharmonia and also have Sir Colin Davis's LSO recording, amongst others. Apparently, the inspiration for this final movement was attributed to the latest love of his life at the time. Sir Simon's rhythmic drive in this excerpt is typically exciting. His CBSO recording is ok, just a pity that this performance isn't available on LSO Live CD!

[@andreapandypetrapan]

Could there be anything more London? In the Barbican Hall, in a complex which owes its location and origins to the handiwork of the Luftwaffe. Played by the LSO, under Maestro Rattle. And a work which both exudes the horror and tyranny and despair of that disreputable decade of the 1930s, yet also seeks to dispel the shadows of Fascism with this "Festival of Britain" jazzy jauntiness, clever fugues, and audacious dissonances. Almost more Benjamin Britten than Willy Walton. Indeed, it could almost be the closing music by to the credits of, say, "Bridge over the River Kwai", by Malcolm Arnold. Love andrea

[@AdamMusicWorld]

I love walton. Thank you LSO for this!

[@Kyle-ur4mr]

Just awesome. Walton must absolutely be played with strict and disciplined rhythm as a starting point!

[@noiselesspatient]

And yet... with a rubato that completely understands Walton's heart. The opening here, for example... Previn too, of course. Very few others.

[@tintinsnowyful]

I'm sorry...that was a fucking great performance. The orchestra was playing their heart out. I love this piece and know it intimately. This was almost as good as the Previn performance, in some ways with a hair more subtlety. Both performance are fabulous and great representatives of British culture.

[@sircles-net]

Language Timothy!

[@stuartmurray7876]

Thank you LSO. I love this piece, especially in the Mackerras and Previn recordings, but this was absolutely sublime and I was so fortunate to experience it live. A huge response from the audience on the night. Bravo on the really lovely trumpet solo.

[@rstonhold]

As good as going to the Barbican concert hall, in these strange days.........

[@georgeblakesley6441]

I come back to this every now and again to listen to how brilliant this performance is. Is there anywhere we can watch the rest of the symphony?

[@kinnkanntei]

Oh, SUPERB final trumpet solo on Bb trumpet!!

[@rockfavorites2540]

Compelling interpretation of the 4th movement of one of the select great symphonies of the 20th century. Wish the entire symphony had been offered.

[@coasterdragon155]

Love love love love love LOVE IT omg

[@sircles-net]

It was a long wait, but boy was it worth it.

[@musicayaplausos]

Sir Simon is the BEST

[@alfredoechevarrieta7512]

Bravo !! Bravo !! Y me sumo a los aplausos !! Muchas gracias LSO.

[@Skidoo22]

Rattle not adhering to Walton's careful dynamic markings at rehearsal 139.

[@sircles-net]

It is just unbelievable from second one onwards

[@mark-shane]

so where is the whole performance? LSO really need to promote itself better .

[@MrDaduh59]

Tremendous!

[@karldelavigne8134]

Now I'd like to hear Rattle conduct some Vaughan Williams symphonies, both of Elgar's, works by Bax and Bliss's Colour Symphony.

[@rook_wood]

Absolutely. I'm with you all the way

[@LondonSymphonyOrchestra]

Hi Karl, just reading this... Rattle and the LSO willbe performing VW 5 at the BBC Proms a week on Sunday, 30 August (2020). It'll be live across the BBC, on Radio 3, BBC Four TV and iPlayer. Details here: lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2020/08/30/1937/-/online-event-bbc-proms-2020.html

[@andrewnguyen1220]

it feel like space

[@alexiusp21]

Dear LSO, is this performance of the entire 1st symphony commercially available?

[@sircles-net]

0:41 Uncontainable. Glee. Perfect. Wonderful.

[@TitanicConcerts]

Why is this not on CD??

[@henrygingercat]

I don't know for sure but I've a sneaky feeling that Walton might have recently heard La Mer when he wrote this. I usually admire Rattle greatly but this is just a bit too fast - even for the LSO.

[@kelvinp.coleman563]

Ah, now that's interesting! I can't help but see the sea when I hear this movement.

[@airbedane]

There is so much promise in Waltons music, can you hear it?

[@santosurriolas.9917]

Bravo!

[@juvenilemonument217]

8:45 I like most

[@joshuamoore2878]

UPDATED: Great performance and introduction to what sounded to me like a mediocre composer until I listened to his violin concerto. Now I'm a fan. Great performance, and thanks for introducing us!

[@rstonhold]

Walton....mediocre.........I think not

[@slateflash]

Great opinion from someone who appears to have no idea what he's talking about. Great job nonetheless

[@paullewis2413]

He is of course entitled to opinion, misguided as it is. Probably not aware that Walton wrote one of the greatest violin concertos of the 20th c. Personally I think the last movement of this symphony is not of the standard of the rest, overall I think the underrated 2nd symphony is his best.

[@slateflash]

@@paullewis2413 I actually prefer the 2nd symphony a lot more. It really shows superb orchestration

[@joshuamoore2878]

@@slateflash Yes, I just thought the end of the final movement was weak (compositionally) in that it did not stir my soul, though I have no doubt it was technically flawless. But I still enjoyed the performance. And I am grateful to be introduced to the composer. Perhaps, I will come to appreciate him more in the future. In any case, I will concede that one should not judge the composer by only one of his works.

[@problemchimp4231]

Still reckon Previn nails it best..

[@KMHill]

So many postings of incomplete works is frustrating. Are we pandering to the lowest attention spans?

[@cobblestonegenerator]

Even if they are, people who are likely to turn away from long spanning works might be able to digest these a bit easier. Of course it probably wasn't the composers intent for works to be chopped up like this. However, if this method helps it reach a wider audience and assists in people getting interested in classical/new music, then im happy.

[@cherriercheung]

2Keyblades exactly. I’m new to classical music. This is a good way to “sample” different pieces. If I find something I really enjoy I will look for a complete version.

[@magdalenafilbrandt6833]

Kazdy koncert pod batutą Sir Simona mnie fascynuje. Elektryzuje mnie swoja interpretacja oraz szczegolnym wyczuciem muzyki.Różnorodność emocji oraz plastyka gestu dominuje u Sir Simona i jeest to clu przekazywania muzyki.Brawo i gratuluję!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍💪💪💪💪🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹💗❤

[@andrewtaylor5695]

Oh come on! It's not as if this movement doesn't stand up as a piece of music on its own. Of course it's fantastic to listen to it in the context of a whole symphony, but this is a great way to whet the appetite and get people into the concert hall. Comments such as yours are what make people feel that classical music isn't for them.

[@noiselesspatient]

No, commercial realities. These musicians need and deserve to earn a living.

[@musicfirst5020]

Wow, Rattle conducting without a score. Impressive.

[@piano2750]

I've always been amazed how orchestras manage to play so well under a conductor who never stops being tense, who constantly grimaces and whose movements are so fitful, just awful.

[@catineanadelin105]

just stupid your thinking

[@andrewtaylor9610]

Ironically, I read your comment and looked up to see a beaming Rattle. Honestly, what a load of pretentious claptrap.