From his early years as a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford to his old age on the Italian island of Ischia, Sir William Walton was a tireless correspondent. Spontaneous and naturally fluent, his letters build up a detailed self-portrait of one of England's finest 20th century composers. The remarkable gallery of friends and colleagues to whom he wrote included: Osbert Stilwell, Siegfried Sassoon, Laurence Olivier, Benjamin Britten and Yehudi Menuhin.This selection contains new information about his compositions, notably his opera Troilus and Cressida. Much is also revealed of Walton's liaisons with the women in his life. The letters, many published here for the first time, have been annotated throughout, and the book includes previously unpublished photographs of the composer and his circle.This is a book to be savoured by all whom love Walton's music, with its unique blend - like the letters themselves - of individual flair, English romanticism, and Italian warmth.
