Portrait of Walton [Paperback]

In this biography by one of England's foremost writers on music, William Walton's personality emerges in all its complexity and self-contradiction. Michael Kennedy portrays a creative artist completely committed to his art yet plagued by misgiving and doubts, prey to insecurity and frustration, vulnerable to criticism, and jealous of the achievement of others. At the same time he was witty and generous, bore no grudges, and enjoyed the loyalty of a host of friends. Appointed his biographer by the composer himself, Kennedy has had access to correspondence with many of the friends and colleagues who were important in Walton's life, among them Siegfried Sassoon, Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold, and Andr? Previn.

Part I. Willie
1. Oldham and Oxford, 1902-20
2. London and Salzburg, 1920-3
3. Fa?ade, 1921-79
4. With the Sitwells, 1923-9
5. Viola Concerto, 1928-9
6. Belshazzar's Feast, 1929-31
7. In Switzerland, 1931-3
8. Unfinished Symphony, 1933-4
9. Finished Symphony, 1934-5
Part II. William
10. Crown Imperial, 1936-7
11. Violin Concerto, 1938-9
12. War Films, 1939-42
13. Columbus and Henry V, 1942-5
14. Post-war Quartet, 1944-7
15. Birth of an Opera, 1947-8
16. Making an Opera, 1948-52
Part III. Sir William
17. Corontation Interlude, 1952-3
18. Finishing an Opera, 1953-4
19. Troilus and Cressida, 1954-76
20. Cello Concerto, 1955-7
21. Partita and Second Symphony, 1957-60
22. The Bear, 1964-7
23. Britten and Bagatelles, 1969-72
24. Seventieth Birthday, 1972
25. Roaring Fanfares, 1972-7
26. The Haunted End, 1977-83
27. Epilogue
Appendices: I: Classified List of Works; II: Troilus and Cressida Synopsis; III: Discography: Walton conducts Walton; IV: Select Bibliography
Classifed Index of Works
General Index