The Historical Impact of Walton's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra : William Walton's life, analysis of the work, and historical perspective

William Walton was one of the great composers of the 20th century. Born in Britain, he was mostly self-taught, arriving at musical maturity just after WWI, and had a number of early successes that launched him to international renown. His career lasted an astonishing sixty years, and although he created less works than his contemporaries, his output remains to this day fresh and original. The present study will focus on Walton's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, from 1939, and its historical impact since the time of its composition. It was commissioned and premiered by Jascha Heifetz, one of the last century's greatest violin virtuosos. Fittingly, the concerto is of immense difficulty for soloist and orchestra, yet it is a shining achievement in the genre, combining virtuosity with deep emotional sentiment. This study is divided into three chapters: the first chapter introduces Walton, the second provides details of the Concerto's compositional history and a brief analysis, and the third chapter highlights why Walton's Concerto has made a lasting impression on the musical world.