Walton's Façade - is it only a front?

I've been on a bit of a Walton kick lately (but not today, devoted instead to Ives and probably other American music), and I've been lining up some recordings of the Entertainment for a nice listen.

It happens that there have been a few recordings which extend beyond the 'standard' seven-times-three (even that numerical grouping is in itself a thumbed-nose at Schoenberg's 'Pierrot Lunaire' with its three-times-seven). I know of four which have been on CD:

Dame Peggy Ashcroft and Jeremy Irons, Riccardo Chailly/London Sinfonietta, London 421 717-2, recorded 1987;

Pamela Hunter, Silveer van den Broeck/Melologos Ensemble, Discover DICD 920125, recorded 1993;

Lynn Redgrave, David Shifrin/Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Arabesque Z6699, recorded 1996;

Eleanor Bron and Richard Stilgoe, David Lloyd-Jones/Nash Ensemble, Hyperion CDA67239, recorded 2000.

In addition, there was one with Cathy Berberian (I have also been on a bit of a Cathy Kick lately, particularly thanks to the binaries newsgroups where some very nice people have been posting some good stuff, including

I've always loved the FACADE Entertainment. I even got to perform as one of two Reciters in a student performance at Indiana U, way back when. Great fun, and I'd love to do it again sometime.

One that you don't mention (understandably, as the extension doesn't involve any music) is the husband-and-wife team of Timothy West and Prunella 'Sybil Fawlty' Scales, Jane Glover conducting, on ASV. They recite a number of additional Sitwell poems, without music. I find the FACADE performance excellent on this, thoguh my own personal preference is for each number to be a solo vocal performance

Facade calls for the use of a Sengerphone. You may like to read my article which I hope will amuse you http://www.musicweb.uk.net/senger.htm

....................................................... ............... Len Mullenger Founder MusicWeb The Internet CD review site www.musicweb.uk.net www.FilmMusic.uk.net

Yes, I found that article and enjoyed it.