Born: 1902, Oldham, UKDied: 1983, Ischia, Italy

Walton was born into a musical family, and had early success as a cheeky modernist with Façade, his “entertainment” with poet Edith Sitwell. Other early works such as the Viola Concerto and the oratorio Belshazzar’s Feast cemented his reputation and have remained in the repertory. A painstaking perfectionist, he did not write a large number of works, but his catalog does cover most genres quite successfully, including film music.

Further listening:Bagatelles (1972)Julian Bream, guitar(RCA)

Viola Concerto (1929)Yuri Bashmet,London Symphony Orchestra,André Previn (RCA)