Richard III (music from the Olivier films) (1991)

"Thanks to Christopher Palmer and his invaluable delving into the Walton archive, turning what are often scraps of material into finished concert works, this CD of Walton film music brings more treasure. The music of Richard III remains fairly well known, but this Shakespeare scenario in ten movements provides a different perspective. The whole record is a delight, and the brief six-minute Macbeth item is particularly welcome. Walton wrote his incidental music at high speed, taking only a week over it. Palmer has made an A-B-A piece from some crypto-Elizabethan dance music (the banquet scene), a fanfare and centrally the Funeral March for the Eight Kings. The pre-echoes of Henry V are fascinating, and the Major Barbara music too (dating from a year earlier, 1941) brings vintage Walton material, with hints of Onward, Christian Soldiers and shades of Belshazzar. With Marriner and the Academy giving ripely committed performances, this is another feast for Waltonians." (Gramophone)