INSCRIBED BY COMPOSER WILLIAM WALTON TO MUSIC CRITIC ERNEST NEWMAN

WALTON, William. Symphony. London: Oxford University Press, 1936. Folio, original wrappers, pp.193. $800.

First edition, full score, presentation/association copy, inscribed by the composer to a noted music critic, "for Ernest Newman / from / William Walton / Aug 11th 1936."

Walton "was highly conscious of the symphonic tradition and labored for more than three years. The Symphony no. 1 in B-flat Minor was first performed on November 6, `935, and remains one of the landmark English symphonies since the 1930s. The conductor Sir Henry Wood wrote, 'What a work, truly marvelous; it was like the world coming to an end, its dramatic power was superb; what orchestration, what vitality and rhythmic invention—No orchestral work has ever carried me away so much'" (Dubal, Essential Canon of Classical Music, 675). The recipient of this copy, Ernest Newman, was the music critic for the Sunday Times almost continuously from 1920 to 1958; he has been described as "the most celebrated British music critic in the first half of the 20th century" (New Grove 13:163).

Interior fine, light wear to original wrappers, more so to spine. A desirable presentation copy with an excellent association.