Companionable Walton
Sir: I am appalled by Mr Fallowell's review of Susana Walton's book (20 February). It seems to me that he has chosen this occasion to make an attack upon Walton, rather than upon the book.
I do not know if Mr Fallowell is a musician, but I would suggest that poster- ity will decide if Walton is a minor compos- er. As the widow of a musician, I would not attempt to assess his position.
What I can say is that after 40 years of friendship, I remember William as a sweet and loving man. He hid his innate good- ness under a mask, as he was basically shy. He never dropped old friends, however humble, and he guaranteed a massive overdraft to a fellow composer fallen on evil times.
Alas! He was an enfant terrible, as were his patrons, the Sitwells, and they all suffered from this label in their last and difficult years.
To call him a third-rate bore is mon- strous. He was the best company in the world, outrageous, yes, third-rate, never.
Griselda Kentner
Mallord Street, London SW3
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