Siesta

for small orchestra

General Information – Instrumentation – Manuscript – Publication – Arrangements – Adaptations – Recordings

General Information:

Composition:
1926. Minor revisions were made in 1962.

First Performance:
24 November 1926. Aeolian Hall, London. Aeolian Chamber Orchestra, Sir William Walton [or possibly Guy Warrack] conductor.

Duration:
About 5 minutes

Dedication:
The original version is dedicated to Stephen Tennant, though this dedication was removed in the 1962 revision.

Craggs Catalogue Number:
C19

Instrumentation:

Flute (doubling piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon – 2 horns – strings

Manuscript:

Frederick R. Koch Collection. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Manuscript FRKF 1428. First and second proofs of orchestral parts, with annotations by Walton in blue and red crayon, and red ink.

The location of the autograph manuscript score is unknown.

Publication:

Oxford University Press. Full score, 1929 (discontinued). Study score, 1963, 019 3684004. Score and parts are available on hire.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Study score]

Arrangements:

Arranged for piano duet, by the composer.
Publication: Oxford University Press, 1928. (discontinued).

Arranged for two pianos, by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett
First Performance: 1 December 1977. Wigmore Hall, London. Susan Bradshaw and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett pianos.
This version remains unpublished.

Adaptations:

The music from Siesta formed the basis of the following ballets:

• Ballet — a Pas de deux. Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton.
  • First Performance: 24 January 1936. Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. Vic-Wells Ballet. Sadler's Wells Orchestra, Sir William Walton conductor. Pearl Argyle, Robert Helpmann principals. Matilda Etches designer.
• Ballet — a new Pas de deux. Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton.
  • First Performance: 28 July 1972. The Maltings, Snape, Suffolk. English Opera Group Orchestra, David Taylor conductor. Vyvyan Lorrayne, Barry McGrath principals. Aldeburgh Festival.

Recordings:

WilliamWalton.net – Catalogue of Works – Orchestral Music