From Oldham to Oxford: the Formative Years of Sir William Walton
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From Oldham to Oxford: The Formative Years of Sir William Walton Gary D. Cannon A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts University of Washington 2014 Reading Committee: Geoffrey P. Boers, Chair Abraham Kaplan Giselle E. Wyers Program Authorized to Offer Degree: School of Music © Copyright 2014 Gary D. Cannon University of Washington Abstract From Oldham to Oxford: The Formative Years of Sir William Walton Gary D. Cannon Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Geoffrey Boers Choral Conducting, School of Music The formative years of William Walton (1902–1983) are rarely considered when studying the composer’s life and works. However, careful study of that period indicates many of the directions that the adult Walton would take. Industrial Lancashire was more musically active during the period of Walton’s youth (covering the years 1902 to 1912) than is generally considered. His time as a chorister and later undergraduate at Christ Church, Oxford (1912 to 1920), is replete with influential interactions with talented adults and fellow students. Detailed consideration of Walton’s juvenilia reveals a keen thinker who assimilated these various influences in a unique manner. Far more than merely a springboard for a future talent, these years resulted in inspired works and a firm purpose for the budding composer. From Oldham to Oxford The Formative Years of Sir William Walton Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 4 Walton in Oldham, 1902–12 ......................................................................................................................... 6 Lancashire, Manchester and Oldham........................................................................................................ 6 Manchester and Music in the Industrial Revolution ............................................................................. 6 Oldham .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Charles and Louie Walton ....................................................................................................................... 15 Charles Walton .................................................................................................................................... 15 Louie Turner Walton ........................................................................................................................... 19 93 Werneth Hall Road ......................................................................................................................... 20 Walton’s Youth ........................................................................................................................................ 21 Family Life ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Early Education .................................................................................................................................... 23 Music in Edwardian Oldham ............................................................................................................... 26 Earliest Surviving Letter ....................................................................................................................... 33 Audition for Oxford ................................................................................................................................. 34 Oldham in 1912 ....................................................................................................................................... 37 A Cathedral Chorister, 1912–15 .................................................................................................................. 41 Christ Church and Oxford ........................................................................................................................ 41 Foundation of Christ Church ............................................................................................................... 41 Development of Christ Church and Music in Oxford .......................................................................... 43 Edwardian Christ Church ..................................................................................................................... 47 Thomas Strong..................................................................................................................................... 51 Henry Ley ............................................................................................................................................. 54 Walton Arrives at Oxford ........................................................................................................................ 56 Life at the Choir School ....................................................................................................................... 56 “A Small Quiet Boy” ............................................................................................................................. 58 Repertoire at Christ Church ................................................................................................................. 60 1 Learning Instruments .......................................................................................................................... 65 Earliest Compositions .......................................................................................................................... 68 War Begins .............................................................................................................................................. 69 Changes at Oldham and Oxford .......................................................................................................... 69 Help from Dean Strong ........................................................................................................................ 71 1915 ..................................................................................................................................................... 74 Chorister and Composer, 1916–18 ............................................................................................................. 77 To “Make Myself Interesting” ................................................................................................................. 77 A Composer’s Motivation .................................................................................................................... 77 A Litany ................................................................................................................................................ 80 Tell me where is fancy bred ................................................................................................................. 93 Lost Works ........................................................................................................................................... 99 Attending Opera ................................................................................................................................ 100 Chorale Prelude on ‘Wheatley’ .......................................................................................................... 102 The Forsaken Merman ....................................................................................................................... 106 Walton’s Voice Breaks ....................................................................................................................... 117 Continuing Studies ................................................................................................................................ 118 Letters Home ..................................................................................................................................... 118 Valse in C minor ................................................................................................................................. 123 Spring 1917 ........................................................................................................................................ 126 Hugh Allen ......................................................................................................................................... 130 New Directions ...................................................................................................................................... 132 Lessons with University Faculty ........................................................................................................ 132 Toward an Undergraduacy ................................................................................................................ 137 Swinburne Songs ............................................................................................................................... 143 A Young Undergraduate, 1918–20 ............................................................................................................ 156 Becoming an Undergraduate ................................................................................................................ 156 Lifestyle ............................................................................................................................................