Coming Back

 

After 25 years.

Malcolm Arnold is one of a handful of symphonists whose works I exciting began exploring, but for one reason or another, never came back to their symphonies again.

Here is my homecoming.

I can see why I was turned off. While Arnold isn't too far from his his world of film music, Richard Hickox presents his music in a thoroughly modern world. 

Having recently taken in Vernon Handley's performances of the first two symphonies, I find his outlook brighter with a fair bit more wit and a quixotic musical journey. The atmosphere from Sir Richard, on the other hand, is almost too oppressive, multiplied by the towering Chandos sonics of the mighty London Symphony Orchestra. That said, the depth of the strings and the effortless unanimity of the winds and brass are magnificent from the LSO. The mid-hall perspective from Chandos was never my favorite, but somehow the British label always retained color and detail despite hall or church resonance.

Where these elements exist at its best under Hickox are in the slower, more contemplative and atmospheric moments. I am thinking of the middle movement of Symphony no. 1, which is absolutely gorgeous in the hands of the LSO. So too, the rather gentle pastoral opening of Symphony no. 2, not to mention Arnold's lengthy Lento third movement in the same work, are lovely performances, although Hickox plays up the modernist contrasts much more strongly as well. As far as impact and virility, they are heard best in the brass interlude in the final movement of Arnold's Second Symphony.

While I have a greater appreciation of these symphonies now, I might have been more amenable towards these works had I come across the Handley recordings first. I was less taken with even the slightest hint of modernism at the time, and even today, an occasional smile or shaft of sunlight goes a long way for this listener.

 

 

 

 

Works
Symphony 1, op. 22 (30.13)
Symphony 2, op. 40 (31.02)

Performers
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox, conductor

Label: Chandos
Year: 1995
Total Timing: 61.22

 

 

 

This recording put me off of Malcolm Arnold for a good long time. I am glad to have come back, for listening tastes evolve over time.

In this case, I can see why I had trouble with these symphonies. Sure, Arnold is a little more modernist compared to some of his non-symphonic music, but also, Hickox and crew take this music so seriously as well.

For now, I will stick with Vernon Handley as my preference. Let's see how my listening changes over the next 25 years.

 

 

 

 

 Find more Arnold recordings HERE!