Bernard Walton
Encyclopedia
Bernard Walton was a British
classical
clarinetist.
Walton was born into a musical family. His grandfather was a cellist
with the Hallé Orchestra under the eponymous founder Charles Hallé
, and his father played in the Queen's Hall Orchestra. He was taught by George Anderson, who was the principal clarinetist at the founding of the London Symphony Orchestra
under Hans Richter
in 1904. Walton later studied at the Royal College of Music
. In 1937, shortly before his 20th birthday, he was appointed principal clarinetist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra
, joining his father, uncle, and brother as members of that orchestra. He served as principal clarinetist of the Philharmonia from 1953 to 1966, when Walter Legge
left the orchestra in 1964. Walton tried unsuccessfully to persuade Legge to continue with the orchestra, and after his departure, Walton was the principal influence in establishing the Philharmonia (now renamed the New Philharmonia Orchestra
) as a self-governing body and he served as its first chairman.
After leaving the orchestra in April 1966, he rejoined the London Philharmonic, and devoted more time to chamber music, forming the Music Group of London with Hugh Bean
, Eileen Croxford, and David Parkhouse. Walton was held in such regard that when Herbert von Karajan
assumed the position of music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, he told Legge "If we were not old friends, I would immediately engage Walton for my Berlin orchestra." Along with the other leaders of the woodwind section of the Philharmonia - Gareth Morris
, Jock Sutcliffe, and Gwydion Brooke
- Walton formed what was known in musical circles as "Legge's Royal Flush". In addition to his work as a performer, he was Professor of Clarinet at the Royal College of Music
from 1954 until his death.
Mr.Walton's classic recordings of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto and the Brahm's Clarinet Quintet, with a tribute paid to him by the late great Jack Brymer are available on Testament Recordings(CD).
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
clarinetist.
Walton was born into a musical family. His grandfather was a cellist
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
with the Hallé Orchestra under the eponymous founder Charles Hallé
Charles Hallé
Sir Charles Hallé was an Anglo-German pianist and conductor, and founder of The Hallé orchestra in 1858.-Life:Hallé was born in Hagen, Westphalia, Germany who after settling in England changed his name from Karl Halle...
, and his father played in the Queen's Hall Orchestra. He was taught by George Anderson, who was the principal clarinetist at the founding of the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
under Hans Richter
Hans Richter (conductor)
Hans Richter was an Austrian orchestral and operatic conductor.-Biography:Richter was born in Raab , Kingdom of Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire. His mother was opera-singer Jozsefa Csazenszky. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory...
in 1904. Walton later studied at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
. In 1937, shortly before his 20th birthday, he was appointed principal clarinetist of 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...
, joining his father, uncle, and brother as members of that orchestra. He served as principal clarinetist of the Philharmonia from 1953 to 1966, when Walter Legge
Walter Legge
Harry Walter Legge was an influential English classical record producer, most notably for EMI. His recordings include many sets later regarded as classics and reissued by EMI as "Great Recordings of the Century". He worked in the recording industry from 1927, combining this with the post of junior...
left the orchestra in 1964. Walton tried unsuccessfully to persuade Legge to continue with the orchestra, and after his departure, Walton was the principal influence in establishing the Philharmonia (now renamed the New Philharmonia Orchestra
Philharmonia Orchestra
The Philharmonia Orchestra is one of the leading orchestras in Great Britain, based in London. Since 1995, it has been based in the Royal Festival Hall. In Britain it is also the resident orchestra at De Montfort Hall, Leicester and the Corn Exchange, Bedford, as well as The Anvil, Basingstoke...
) as a self-governing body and he served as its first chairman.
After leaving the orchestra in April 1966, he rejoined the London Philharmonic, and devoted more time to chamber music, forming the Music Group of London with Hugh Bean
Hugh Bean
Hugh Cecil Bean CBE was an English violinist.He was born in Beckenham. After lessons from his father from the age of five, he became a pupil of Albert Sammons when he was nine years old. Later, he attended the Royal College of Music , where at age 17 he was awarded the principal prize for violin...
, Eileen Croxford, and David Parkhouse. Walton was held in such regard that when Herbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor. To the wider world he was perhaps most famously associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was principal conductor for 35 years...
assumed the position of music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, he told Legge "If we were not old friends, I would immediately engage Walton for my Berlin orchestra." Along with the other leaders of the woodwind section of the Philharmonia - Gareth Morris
Gareth Morris
Gareth Charles Walter Morris was a British flautist. He was the principal flautist of a number of London orchestras including the Boyd Neel Orchestra before joining the Philharmonia Orchestra. He was the principal flautist of this orchestra for 24 years and Professor of the Flute at the Royal...
, Jock Sutcliffe, and Gwydion Brooke
Gwydion Brooke
Gwydion Brooke was the principal bassoonist of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a member of its "Royal Family" of wind instrumentalists, along with Jack Brymer , Dennis Brain , Richard Walton , Terence MacDonagh , and Gerald Jackson .Born Frederick James Gwydion Holbrooke, his father was the...
- Walton formed what was known in musical circles as "Legge's Royal Flush". In addition to his work as a performer, he was Professor of Clarinet at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
from 1954 until his death.
Mr.Walton's classic recordings of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto and the Brahm's Clarinet Quintet, with a tribute paid to him by the late great Jack Brymer are available on Testament Recordings(CD).