Five Bagatelles for Guitar
by William Walton
Walton's Five Bagatelles (1971), written for and dedicated to Julian Bream, are among the most elegant and distinguished contributions to the 20th-century guitar repertoire by a major British composer. Written on Ischia during Walton's late period, the pieces have an autumnal refinement and sardonic wit characteristic of his late style: each is compact, precisely crafted, and full of surprising harmonic turns and rhythmic inflections. The opening Allegretto with its dance-like insouciance, the lyrical Lento in the second bagatelle, and the capricious final Alla cubana demonstrate Walton's command of character and his affectionate understanding of the guitar's idiom. Technically, the pieces demand clarity of articulation, sensitive dynamics, and the ability to sustain singing lines over guitar accompaniment. The set has become a staple of the advanced recital repertoire and one of the most accessible of the major 20th-century guitar works.
Movements
Editions
Oxford University Press
Julian Bream, 1972
Original publication in collaboration with Bream; the authoritative performing edition with Bream's own fingering.
Chester Music
Walton estate, 1996
Revised edition with updated fingering suggestions and a brief preface on the work's genesis; the standard current performing edition.
Boosey & Hawkes
Craig Ogden, 2010
New practical edition with revised fingerings by the noted British guitarist; includes performance notes on Walton's rhythmic style.