William Walton
Born March 29, 1902 in Lancashire, England
Died March 8, 1983
Nationality: English
Period/Style: Modern
About the composer:
Walton’s family didn’t have much money, but they loved music. William joined a boys’ choir when he was ten, and started writing music around that time. When he was a little older he studied music at Oxford University in England. He met the Sitwell family, a family of poets who had great connections. They introduced Walton to many of the star musicians and writers of his time. Walton wrote in a style that was new and different from any other English composer, and he soon became known as one of the most important British composers since Handel. He wrote overtures, marches, a symphony, and even music for movies (Henry V, Richard III, and Hamlet).
About the music:
Crown Imperial (approx. 7 min)
The full title is “Crown Imperial: A Coronation March” and it was commissioned (requested of the composer) by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) for the crowning of George VI in 1937. Walton got the title from a poem called “In Honor of the City” by a Scottish writer. This march is very regal and quite fitting for royalty!
Orb and Sceptre (7 min)
Walton had written a stately march in 1937 for the coronation of George VI, and sixteen years later he was asked to write another one, this time for the crowning of Elizabeth II, the daughter of George VI. This time the request came from the Arts Council of Great Britain. This was, of course, a great honor for Walton, as it would be for any composer! For this march he chose the title “Orb and Sceptre” which are emblems of royalty carried by the monarch at the ceremony. This piece was first performed in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. These grand, majestic coronation marches of Walton joined the Pomp and Circumstance marches of Elgar as some of the finest music ever written for the grand ceremonies of England.
Suggested activities:
See if you can find out what an “orb” and a “sceptre” are. Draw them, and draw a crown that looks like one that King George or Queen Elizabeth might have worn.
Have a coronation of your own! Choose someone to be King and Queen of the class for the day, and have a coronation ceremony including robes, crowns and other royal accessories, and a procession to the “thrones.”