Albion Records: Walton first symphony and Crown Imperial

This recording couples piano duet versions of two important works by William Walton with the first recording of a ‘student’ piece by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Walton's first Symphony was composed between 1931 and 1935 and was popular from the beginning. Crown Imperial was written as a march for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elisabeth (the late Queen Mother) in 1937.
Vaughan William wrote his 'Suite for four hands on one Pianoforte' in 1893 under the tutelage of Sir Hubert Parry. This is not only an exceptionally 'early' piece to find its way onto a recording, but also the only piece that he composed for piano duet.
All of these are first recordings.
Pianist Lynn Arnold is well known for her collaborative musicianship and for her commitment to advocating and performing British music. Recognised for the breadth, scope and depth of colour of her interpretations, Lynn performs frequently both across the UK and internationally as a chamber musician, soloist and accompanist. She has recently recorded various English masterpieces, including a collaboration with the Tippett Quartet for a series of albums for Dutton Epoch.
An alumna of Cambridge University where she held a celebrated Instrumental Award, Lynn won much recognition in various competitions during her subsequent study at the Royal Academy of Music, not least the prestigious Sir Henry Richardson Award from the Musicians Benevolent Fund. A former Park Lane Group Young Artist, Lynn studied with Vanessa Latarche, Michael Dussek and Patsy Toh.
Lynn is on the staff of the Royal Academy of Music and has coached chamber music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. A member of the ABRSM grade examining panel, Lynn teaches a select number of pupils privately.
Charles Matthews studied at the Royal College of Music, London, and was an organ scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge. His teachers have included Beryl Tichbon, Gwilym Isaac, David Pettit, Patricia Carroll, Nicholas Danby, Charles Spinks and Dr Richard Marlow.
Charles has won numerous awards, perhaps most notably first prize in the 1999 Franz Liszt Organ Interpretation Competition in Budapest. His most recent solo recording is of Francis Routh’s cycle The Well-Tempered Pianist; some tracks from this album can be heard free of charge at the composer’s website. Other recent recordings include partnerships with Julia Hwang, violin, Tony Alcock, double-bass, and the Choir of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Charles has performed for productions by the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet, and recorded music used in various theatres in Spain. Schott Music has published a collection of his compositions for flute and piano. He is organist of St Catharine’s Church, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, and also contributes to the Spire organ and electronics project. He works extensively with young people, acts as piano accompanist and organ tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, helps to direct Shipston Junior Band and also works as a coach on the annual Curso Internacional Matisse in El Escorial and Segovia, Spain. He has recently been appointed Conductor of the Chipping Campden Festival Chorus and Patron of Shipston Music Society.

[@TH21789]

Arranged by Herbert Murrill?

[@robinbarber5291]

The Walton pieces are easily recognisable and are favourites of mine , what we hear of the VW sounds very uncharacteristic.