A Special Recording

 

I am often mystified by CD programs with a mix of vocal and instrumental music.


Most of the lovers of orchestral music I know can't stand voice, and I know plenty of choral lovers who don't have the patience for instrumental music.

This one features choral music, both a cappella and organ accompanied, alongside solo-instrument concertos.

Quite frankly, I didn't even know Malcolm Arnold composed music for voice or chorus. I might have assumed he would have for coronation purposes, but none that I am familiar with. This recording shows Arnold had a diverse approach to voices.

The Ceremonial Psalms and Song of Praise are William Walton-esque occasional choral paeans, the Two Part Songs are reminiscent of Frederick Delius or Francis Poulenc in jazz mode, while the two Christmas-based pieces remind me of church anthems or hymns. There is some beautiful music here, with the partsongs being the most impressive to my ears.

The meatiest choral works are the Psalm 150 with pipe organ and the John Clare Cantata with two pianos. The Psalm walks a tightrope between the sacred and secularisms. There is a little pipe organ interlude in there which almost sounds like a samba or rhumba, a portion filled with unusual razzle-dazzle. A mid-Century austerity exists in the harmonies of Arnold's John Clare Cantata, whose pleasant but unexpected harmonies are redolent of that from Vincent Persichetti. There is a wide spectrum of styles Malcolm Arnold applied to his choral music; I wonder if there is more out there? If so, I would be on board!

If you know Malcolm Arnold's Concerto for 28 Players, you will generally have a bearing regarding his Concerto for Two Violins. It is a lightly dissonant work, yet the harmonic lushness from the composer's film work is also in play. While I love the sort-of Murder-Mystery pursuit in the final movement, and the divided placement of the soloists in the sonics is a fabulous, the concerto is an odd bedfellow with the rest of the program, even if I greatly appreciate the distinct variety.

Apparently, both Sir Adrian Boult and Douglas Bostock have recorded Arnold's Organ Concerto, but I knew not of this work. It is filled with the same cheek of Poulenc's concerto for the king of instruments, but with its own British bent. Intelligently, Arnold scores his work for strings and timpani, but no winds other than a trumpet and two piccolo trumpets. This means the pipe organ doesn't need to compete against a whole wind section, since the organ is a keyboard wind instrument itself.

The opening is full of bold, brassy revelries, while the middle movement basks in lyrical, ethereal luxuriousness. The finale romps around as expected, but brings back the opening material for its conclusion. What fun this Organ Concerto is!

The Padstow Lifeboat March is arranged for the same instrumentation as the Organ Concerto, including organ, who takes the parts of the winds, including piccolo. Those who know the brass or orchestral versions of the march may find this version a little silly or odd. Perhaps both.

I believe the London Choral Sinfonia refers to both the choral ensemble and the orchestra. In their many engaging concert programs, there appears to be a similar mix of choral, orchestral, and choral/orchestral pieces performed, as on this recording. The orchestra sounds wonderful, with a sparkly, luscious string quality. So too, the choral sound is excellently balanced, with a lovely full tone. This is a group to be reckoned with, and I have no doubt director Michael Waldron, here with his cadre of young male soloists, is responsible for the success.

The booklet which comes with the physical media provides the names of all the performers, singers and instrumentalists alike. Plus, Orchid Classics even provides the full registration of the pipe organ utilized on the recording in Islington. Fabulous! One can only hope for more.

 

 

 

 

Works
Organ Concerto (14.24)
Two Violin Concerto (16.06)
Padstow Lifeboat March (4.47)
Two Part Songs (4.31)
Psalm 150 (7.23)
Two Ceremonial Psalms (4.01)
John Clare Cantata (13.02)
Song of Praise (2.54)
Pilgrim Caravan (3.35)
This Christmas Night (2.07)

Soloists
James Orford, organ
Jack Liebeck, violin
Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin
Edward Picton-Tubervill, piano
Cameron Richardson-Eames, piano

Performers
London Choral Sinfonia
Michael Waldron, conductor

Label: Orchid Classics
Year: 2025
Total Timing: 72.54

 

 

 

 

An enterprising program of Malcolm Arnold rarities, both for orchestra, concertante soloists, and chorus.

I would say the celebration is for this unearthed music, but the performers are terrific across the board as well.

A wonderful partnership between music and musicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Find more Arnold recordings HERE!