William Alwyn (1905-1985) - Fantasy Waltzes: No. 8 in G Major

The Fantasy Waltzes is a suite of eleven piano pieces composed in London between June 1954 and April 1955 and is arguably one of Alwyn’s finest works for piano solo.

Alwyn uses the basic three-four waltz rhythm with a great variety of style, and much of the music has that of a romantic approach, although here and there are nods to the composer’s earlier neo-classical style. The idea for the Fantasy Waltzes originated while Alwyn was on holiday in Norway after a visit to Grieg’s lakeside home. Although conceived as a continuous cycle, the suite does divide into two parts, Nos. 1-6 and Nos. 7-11, which encompass many moods from happy to sad, to mysterious and solemn, with the eighth waltz being one of the most attractive of the set.

The Fantasy Waltzes are dedicated to the New Zealand pianist Richard Farrell, who gave the first performance of the work in a BBC broadcast on 2nd June 1957. Less than a year later, Farrell’s promising career as a concert pianist was cut tragically short after being killed in a car accident. Alwyn admired Farrell’s playing greatly and dedicated the fifth of his Twelve Preludes for piano to Farrell’s memory.


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