Malcolm Arnold

I'm not familiar with the Reference Recordings CD or what is contains, but I like Malcomb Arnold's Dances (English, Scottish, Cornish). I suggest Naxos 553526--Queensland Symphony Orchestra. It is supposed to be very fine. I have a classic Lyrita CD with Arnold conducting these dances, but it is out of print and would cost you a fortune to get a copy.

Dear Oldnslow,

I had that Lyrita issue and loaned it to someone, who I cannot remember. I shall never get it back. It was tremedous and the music would gve pleasure in any performance I am sure. It is so much fun, ideas and life.

Fredrik

Malcolm Arnold Trumpet Concerto (Many versions available I believe)

Wonderful. Played it myself as a youth and it has always stuck with me. He was a trumpet player too so obviously a labour of love.

Jonathan

Malcomb Arnold played in the LPO just after 1945 for a number of years. I have a superb performance under van Beinum of Elgar's Wand Of Youth Suite No 2 where he plays for the very devil in the incredibly awkward trumpet part in the Wilds Bear (last movement)! Hair raisingly exciting stuff. He wrote many very fine films scores as well, but sadly it is hard to find recordings of his music nowadays. It is great music and approachable.

One interesting aside is a row he had with Walter Legge at EMI. He was leading some recording of his own music and Legge stepped in and interupted precedings to advise the composer as to how his own music goes - a repeated patern, sadly, considering his dealings with Walton also - and Arnold just said, 'Get back in your recording box, little man.' The two did not work together again.

Fredrik

Thanks for the information. I shall seek some out. If anyone is looking for a good collection of his music, try to track down the Reference Recordings cd. To me, the music is excellent, although I obviously don't know his other music to compare it to. However, Reference Recordings is an audiophile label that consistently puts out excellent recordings. I think they have a website from which you can buy directly if interested.

Thanks, Mike

The Arnold collection of Overtures on Reference Recordings RR48 is very good indeed.

The are two great collections alos available, Decca 468 803-2in their British Music Collection series includes the two sets of English Dances with the LPO and Boult (possibly on a par with Arnold on the Lytita LP) and a wonderful performance of the Quintet for Brass, played by the Philip Jones Brass ensemble.

A 2-CD set on RCA 74321 88392-2 has the English, Scottish and Cornish Dances played by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who also play The Padstow Lifeboat with its off-key "foghorn". Both collections are well worth while buying.

There are complete sets of Arnold's nine symphonies on Naxos (excellent) and Chandos (also excellent). The two sets are different but both are good. The Naxos set was recorded in the presence of Arnold. Some of Arnold's own recordings are (or were)available on Conifer.

Chandos have issued at least 2 volumes of Arnold's film music, one with the LSO and Hickox, the other with the BBC SO (I think) with Rumon Gamba.

For Arnold's chamber works, try the Nash Ensemble on Hyperion (3 separate CD's)

An informative biography of Arnold is "The life and music of Sir Malcolm Arnold" by Paul RW Jackson, published in England by Ashgate Publishing. Borrowing is recommended - it's frighteningly expensive.

KenM - Thanks for your very informative posting!

Regards,
Mike

Hello there,

I would suggest trying any of the symphonies. They are excellent on Naxos at super dudget price or if you want to pay full price they are also very good on the Chandos record lable.

Mark.