Two Pieces for Strings

from the film Henry V

General Information – Instrumentation – Manuscript – Publication – Recordings

General Information:

Composition:
These two pieces were extracted directly from the music for the film Henry V, composed 1943–4.

Duration:
About 5 minutes

Movements:

1.   Passacaglia: Death of Falstaff
     2.   'Touch her soft lips and part'

Craggs Catalogue Number:
C50e

Instrumentation:

String orchestra

Publication:

Oxford University Press, 1947. Study score, ISBN 0-19-368236-2. Parts on sale: violin I, ISBN 0-19-368237-0; violin II, ISBN 0-19-368238-9; viola, ISBN 0-19-368239-7; cello, ISBN 0-19-368240-0; doublebass, ISBN 0-19-368241-9. All materials also available on hire.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Score]
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Violin I part]
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Violin II part]
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Viola part]
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Cello part]
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Doublebass part]

Arrangements:

        Note: These two pieces are also included in all of the orchestral Henry V arrangements.

'Death of Falstaff', for organ, arranged by Henry G. Ley.
Publication: Oxford University Press, 1949, 019 3758741, discontinued. Later incorporated into Robert Gower's suite for organ.

Arranged for piano duet, by John Rutter.
Publication: Oxford University Press, 1972, 019 3739321, discontinued.

'Touch her soft lips and part', for organ and brass, arranged by Arthur Wills.
This version has never been published, but was recorded in 1982 (see below).

'Touch her soft lips and part', for flute and piano, arranged by Christopher Palmer.
 Publication: Oxford University Press. Included in William Walton: A Flute Album, 1992, 019 3594080.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: A Flute Album]

Arranged for organ, by Iain Farrington, 2001.
This version has never been published.

Recordings:

        Note: These two pieces are also included in all recordings of the orchestral Henry V arrangements.

Orchestra Conductor Year Compact Disc Timing
Philharmonia Orchestra Sir William Walton 1945 EMI Classics 7 63381 2 4'42"
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Sir William Walton 1964 Bridge 9133A/B 4'33"
'Touch her soft lips and part' only:
The Cambridge Co-operative Band, Arthur Wills organ  [arr. Wills]		 David Read 1982 Hyperion CDH55003 1'35"
London Philharmonic Leonard Slatkin 1989 RCA Victor 60813-2 5'26"
English Chamber Orchestra Sir Charles Mackerras 1995 BBC 5021-2 5'22"
Christopher Whitton organ  [arr. Farrington] n/a 2001 Naxos 8.555793 4'55"

 

WilliamWalton.net – Catalogue of Works – Orchestral Music – Henry V