Prelude for Orchestra (Granada)
Encyclopedia
William Walton
received a commission for an original composition from Granada Television
in June 1961. Walton delivered the music in August 1962 as Granada Prelude, Call Signs and End Music.
The Call Signs and End Music were never used by Granada. Granada turned the piece over to Gilbert Vinter
to convert the prelude into a march for symphonic wind band. In Vinter’s arrangement it was recorded and transmitted at the beginning of each day’s broadcast from 1965 until September 1973.
The work features stretches of piano or pianissimo scoring allowing announcements to be superimposed. Walton also includes a "big tune" similar to ones found in Crown Imperial
, Orb and Sceptre
, and the Spitfire Prelude.
in 1977, Walton did release for public performance his original orchestral version of the Prelude for Orchestra. This first performance was on Saturday June 25, 1977 with James Blair conducting the Young Musicians’ Symphony Orchestra in St. John's, Smith Square, London.
conducted the work in 1991 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
for Chandos Records
. Major R.J. Owen conducted the band version in 2002 with the Scots Guards Band
for the Specialist Recording Company.
William Walton
Sir William Turner Walton OM was an English composer. During a sixty-year career, he wrote music in several classical genres and styles, from film scores to opera...
received a commission for an original composition from Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
in June 1961. Walton delivered the music in August 1962 as Granada Prelude, Call Signs and End Music.
The Call Signs and End Music were never used by Granada. Granada turned the piece over to Gilbert Vinter
Gilbert Vinter
Gilbert Vinter was an English conductor and composer, most celebrated for his compositions for brass bands....
to convert the prelude into a march for symphonic wind band. In Vinter’s arrangement it was recorded and transmitted at the beginning of each day’s broadcast from 1965 until September 1973.
The work features stretches of piano or pianissimo scoring allowing announcements to be superimposed. Walton also includes a "big tune" similar to ones found in Crown Imperial
Crown Imperial (musical composition)
Crown Imperial is an orchestral march by the English composer William Walton. It was first performed at the coronation of King George VI in 1937, and substantially revised in 1953. Walton composed the march originally for performance at the coronation of King Edward VIII, which was scheduled for 12...
, Orb and Sceptre
Orb and Sceptre
Orb and Sceptre is a march composed for orchestra by composer William Walton. It was written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953.-Structure:...
, and the Spitfire Prelude.
Music sections and duration
The following information is according to Oxford University Press:- Prelude 5 minutes
- Call Sign # 1 Festivo 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 2a Pomposo 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 2b Pomposo 3 seconds
- Call Sign # 3 Pastorale 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 4 Comico 3 seconds
- Call Sign # 5 Alla caccia 3 seconds
- Call Sign # 6 Music hall 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 7 Military 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 8 Miitary 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 9 Acrobat 3 seconds
- Call Sign # 10 All'espagnola 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 11 Dance band 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 12 Singing strings 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 13 Singing strings 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 14 Singing strings 4 seconds
- Call Sign # 15 Allegrissimo 4 seconds
- End Music 21 seconds
Instrumentation
Instrumentation is three flutes (third doubling piccolo), three oboes (third doubling cor anglais), three clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, three percussion, harp, and strings.Score publications
The march for concert band as arranged by Vinter was published by Oxford University Press as a 26 page score in 1973. The orchestral version is included in the publisher’s William Walton Edition volume 17 Shorter Orchestral Works 1 (2007).First public performance
Although he composed nothing new for the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth IISilver Jubilee of Elizabeth II
The Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II marked the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth realms...
in 1977, Walton did release for public performance his original orchestral version of the Prelude for Orchestra. This first performance was on Saturday June 25, 1977 with James Blair conducting the Young Musicians’ Symphony Orchestra in St. John's, Smith Square, London.
Recordings
Bryden ThomsonBryden Thomson
Bryden Thomson was a Scottish conductor.Bryden Thomson was born in Ayr. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra from 1977 to 1985...
conducted the work in 1991 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
for Chandos Records
Chandos Records
Chandos Records is an independent classical music recording company based in Colchester, Essex, in the United Kingdom, founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.- Background :...
. Major R.J. Owen conducted the band version in 2002 with the Scots Guards Band
Scots Guards Band
The Band of the Scots Guards is one of five bands in the Foot Guards Regiments in the Household Division which primarily guards the British monarch....
for the Specialist Recording Company.