Composer

:

William Walton

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1938

Average_duration

:

12:17

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

'Façade, Suite No. 2' is a composition by the British composer William Walton. It was composed in 1940 as a sequel to his earlier work 'Façade', which was a collaboration with the poet Edith Sitwell. The premiere of 'Façade, Suite No. 2' took place on June 21, 1940, at the Aeolian Hall in London, with Edith Sitwell reciting the poems and Walton conducting the orchestra. The suite consists of ten movements, each of which is based on a poem by Edith Sitwell. The movements are titled as follows: 'Fanfare', 'Scotch Rhapsody', 'Country Dance', 'Noche Espagnola', 'Popular Song', 'Old Sir Faulk', 'Tango-Pasodoble', 'En Famille', 'Four in the Morning', and 'Something Lies Beyond the Scene'. The characteristics of 'Façade, Suite No. 2' are similar to those of the original 'Façade'. The music is highly rhythmic and colorful, with a wide range of instrumental colors and textures. The poems are recited in a highly stylized manner, with exaggerated accents and inflections that match the music. The overall effect is one of whimsy and playfulness, with a touch of satire and irony. The 'Fanfare' movement is a short, brassy introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the suite. The 'Scotch Rhapsody' is a lively dance that features bagpipes and other Scottish instruments. The 'Country Dance' is a rustic, folk-like tune that evokes the English countryside. The 'Noche Espagnola' is a sultry, Spanish-inspired piece that features castanets and flamenco guitar. The 'Popular Song' is a catchy, upbeat tune that could have been a hit in the 1920s. The 'Old Sir Faulk' is a humorous character piece that features a solo clarinet. The 'Tango-Pasodoble' is a sultry, Latin-inspired dance that features a solo trumpet. The 'En Famille' is a playful, family-friendly piece that features a variety of instruments. The 'Four in the Morning' is a moody, atmospheric piece that evokes the quiet of the early morning. The 'Something Lies Beyond the Scene' is a mysterious, otherworldly piece that brings the suite to a close. Overall, 'Façade, Suite No. 2' is a delightful and entertaining work that showcases Walton's skill as a composer and Sitwell's wit as a poet. It is a testament to the enduring popularity of the original 'Façade', which continues to be performed and recorded to this day.

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