William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast is a dramatic and richly orchestrated piece with a fascinating origin. Composed in 1931, the work transports listeners to the opulent and extravagant city of Babylon, setting the stage for the dramatic downfall of its decadent ruler, Belshazzar.
What began as a modest commission in 1929 from the BBC for a “small choral work” quickly evolved into something far more ambitious. Walton expanded the concept into a spectacle featuring a huge orchestra, an eight-part choir, organ, and not one but two brass bands.
David Hill’s guide
In the following video, our Musical Director David Hill breaks down the cantata into sections and shows how the music ties in with the fascinating narrative that accompanies it. The video features excerpts of The Choir singing the work…
See it in concert – book now
If you enjoyed these rehearsal excerpts, just imagine how they’ll sound when accompanied by the resplendent Philharmonia Orchestra and our fabulous soloist Christopher Purves.