Malcolm Arnold in Film

 

Take 2!

For whatever reason, when I think of this second volume of film music from British composer Malcolm Arnold, I feel underwhelmed. Once I listen, however, I am enchanted with Arnold's lesser-known film music, particularly the lush orchestral portrayal on Chandos.

Of course, the composer's best tunes and film-music sequences are found on Volume 1 (BLOG), with Richard Hickox and LSO in charge. That is probably the one most will want. But if curiosities remain, no one will be put out with this recording, and quite frankly, there is just a lot of music to be had here.

A review from 2021

In Volume 2 of Chandos’ series of film music of Malcolm Arnold, ten of his films are adapted into concert works, with much of it arranged by Philip Lane or Christopher Palmer.

There is a lot to like here. Malcolm Arnold writes beautiful melodies, invests plenty of humour, and the arrangers give them all lovely textures. This assortment of overtures, suites, and concertante settings certainly pay homage to their original material, and are afforded manageable concert hall lengths by Lane and Palmer, but certainly do not retain the exact same configuration of the film scores. For that, try and source the original soundtracks if you can; but otherwise, these will do just fine.

Sir Richard Hickox and the LSO, who led the first volume of Arnold’s most well-known scores on Chandos, didn’t come back for Volume 2, but Rumon Gamba still leads the BBC Philharmonic well. These are big, plush orchestral renderings of high Romanticism, and the Chandos sound makes them shimmer. I imagine the originals from the films are probably scrappier and of a higher energy; Gamba’s on the other hand are grandiose, thick renderings. The strings are massive, the horns soar through the textures, and the spotlight soloists are all enjoyable.

Recommended, if nothing else than to hear these lovely scores by Malcolm Arnold in big, modern sound. For authenticity, you need to go elsewhere, but it is all played well by the BBC and Gamba, and the arrangements are a lot of fun.

 

 

 

 

Works
Trapeze: Suite (13.29)
Roots of Heaven: Overture (4.49)
Machines: Symphonic Study (6.12)
No Love for Johnny (10.31)
David Copperfield: Suite (11.10)
You Know What Sailors Are: Scherzetto (2.34)
Stolen Face: Ballade (8.05)
Belles of St. Trinian's: Comedy Suite (8.00)
Holly and the Ivy: Fantasy (8.55)
Captains Paradise: Postcard from the Med (4.05)


Soloists
John Bradbury, clarinet
Paul Janes, piano

Performers
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Rumon Gamba, conductor

Label: Chandos
Year: 2000
Total Timing: 78.55

 

 

 

 

Not as good as the first volume, but when you get into multiple volumes, diminishing returns are bound to burst forth.

No problems on the performing front, although those looking for something closer to the scrappier sounding originals will find something greatly different here.