One of the great Symphonies, and irrespective of the composer’s nationality, Walton’s First such work (from the mid-1930s) has been championed in superb terms by Semyon Bychkov. Thanks to George Vass, via a friend, I have found on YouTube Bychkov conducting the WDR Symphony Orchestra (Cologne) in the first (linked to below) and final movements (no doubt from a complete performance) in impressive fashion, and on the Digital Concert Hall site there is a complete account, with the Berlin Philharmonic this time, every bit as thrilling, moving and idiomatic as its Cologne counterpart. Well done to Semyon Bychkov for embracing this masterpiece, not only in Germany but also London (BBCSO) and Los Angeles. I wonder where else he has programmed it. Wherever it may be, Mr Bychkov is to be congratulated.