Belshazzar's Feast, for baritone, double chorus and orchestra
Belshazzar's Feast is a cantata by the English composer William Walton, depicting the Babylonian captivity of the people of Israel, the death of their oppressor Belshazzar and the collapse of the Babylonian kingdom. It was first performed at the Leeds Triennial Festival on 8 October 1931, with the baritone soloist Dennis Noble, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Leeds Festival Chorus, conducted by Malcolm Sargent.
Movements
- Thus spake Isaiah
- II. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem / By the waters of Babylon: IIa. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem
- II. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem / By the waters of Babylon: IIb. By the waters of Babylon
- Babylon was a great city
- In Babylon, Belshazzar the King made a great feast
- Praise ye the God of Gold
- Thus in Babylon the mighty city
- And in that same hour, as they feasted
- Then sing aloud to God our strength
- The trumpeters and pipers are silent
- Then sing aloud to God our strength (reprise)
Recommended recordings
- London Symphony Orchestra · André Previn YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- London Philharmonic Orchestra · Robert Shaw YouTubeSpotify (subscription)