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Maestro dead but the music lives on

Ruhubia Akbor
5/ 3/2008

IT IS 25 years ago this week since Oldham lost one of its most famous sons – Sir William Walton.

The world-reknowned composer – who was born on March 29, 1902, at his parents’ home in Coppice – died of a heart attack on the Italian island of Ischia, where he had spent the last years of his life.

Famed for writing film scores, symphonies and operas, Walton is commemorated in his home town with a blue plaque at his birthplace at 93 Werneth Hall Road, while his life and works are celebrated by local artist Brian Clarke in the stained-glass roof of the Spindles Shopping Centre.

Walton was born into a musical family and sung locally with St James’s Church choir. His father, Charles, was one of the first intake at the new Royal Manchester College of Music in 1893 as a bass-baritone pupil, and his mother, Louisa Maria Turner, was a good amateur contralto.

After being accepted as a chorister at the Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford at the age of 10, Walton would return home for holidays.

His decision to start composing came from a strong desire to stay in the then more sophisticated south, and he is famously quoted as saying: "I must make myself interesting somehow or, when my voice breaks, I’ll be sent home to Oldham."

However, Oldham did remain ‘home’ and he returned to the town on a number of occasions, not least to be given the Freedom of the Borough in 1960.

David Haines, secretary of the Friends of Oldham Walton Festival, an annual celebration which has since ceased, explained: "He felt Oldham was rather grim and grimy compared to the Oxford countryside. I think it was a bit of a joke about not wanting to come back to Oldham, a bit tongue-in-cheek.

"But Oldhamers still have an affinity for him and still hold him in high regard as one of the town’s most famous children."

After being befriended by the Sitwells, three siblings who formed a literary and artistic clique in London, Walton soon began to make a name for himself.

His notoriety began when he composed the groundbreaking musical adaptation of Edith Sitwell’s ‘Façade’ poems. Other best-known works include the opera ‘Troilus and Cressida’, ballet ‘The Quest’ and the ‘Crown Imperial’ coronation march for George VI. He also wrote the film scores for ‘Hamlet’, ‘Henry V’, ‘Richard III’ and the incidental music for ‘Macbeth’.

Walton’s works remain popular to this day and are still regularly performed across the globe. Oldham paid tribute to the former Werneth Junior School pupil’s talent with the annual Walton Festival – set up ten years after his death and celebrated each year until 2004.

Mr Haines explained: "The festival was very much inspired by Paul Barnett who worked for the council’s leisure services and Ian Killick, concert manager for Opera North. They were much supported by the council."

The Friends group was established in 1994 with the aim of spreading the word and supporting the festival and boasted worldwide membership.

Mr Haines said: "Once Paul Barnett left Oldham it was up to the Friends to try and continue the festival. It finally came to an end in 2004 and died a natural death due to cut backs in funding.

"It was tremendous over the years and we had some wonderful concerts at the QE Hall, the Parish Church and the Lyceum."

Walton’s widow, Argentinian Susan Gil Paso, made sure she attended each year and Mr Haines described her as being "very attentive and supportive".

Celebrations also took place in 2002 on what would have been Walton’s 100th birthday. Fifteen concerts took place in ten venues across the North West. Oldham marked the occasion with the people’s opera ‘Grace-Notes’ celebrating Walton’s life.

At the time Lady Walton said: "It gives me great pleasure to know that dear William is still alive and flourishing in the heart of Oldham and the north of England. The community in Oldham has honoured its musical son every year for the last decade."

Highly regarded as one of the great men of British music, Walton died three weeks before his 81st birthday.

In the news ... 25 years ago:

• TEN-year-old Kate Emma Davies was reaching for the stars, as the budding actress prepared to appear in her first West End Musical. The youngster had beaten thousands of other hopefuls for a chance to step into the spotlight in ‘Bugsy Malone’. Proud dad Barrie said at the time: "We are pleased she has done so well, but we haven’t pushed her at all. If she says she is interested in auditioning for something we encourage her, but its all up to her." Kate went on to appear in the 1987 film ‘Queenie’ alongside Kirk Douglas, ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ and ‘Children’s Ward’. We’d love to know what she is up to now – do you?
• COPPICE pensioner Florrie Nelson paid a visit to the hairdressers for the first time in 20 years back in 1983. The 67-year-old described the experience as "a dream come true" after Oldham Ladies’ Circle offered to grant small wishes to local people. Florrie, who had mobility issues, managed to get her new hairdo just in time fore her grandson’s birthday party.
• OLDHAM health visitors had their work cut out – each was caring for around 1,000 people more than counterparts elsewhere. The recommended level of staffing was one health visitor for every 3,000 people, but in Oldham it had risen to an average of one worker for every 4,000. A shortfall in the number of district nurses had also been highlighted, with one for every 3,300 residents instead of the recommended 2,500. Health bosses said the shortage was due to a lack in the number of people of a suitable educational standard.
• A ROW over an alleged gay wedding at St Mark’s Church, Glodwick, led to a directive from the Bishop of Manchester. The Rt Rev Stanley Booth-Clibborn sent a letter to all vicars making clear the church position on homosexuality – counselling could continue, but no blessings in special services without his permission.