Arnold: Symphonies

 

Eleven, you say?

Yes. This Decca Malcolm Arnold Edition set includes the composer's Nine Symphonies proper, ones originally released on Conifer in the 90s played by Vernon Handley with a bevy of British orchestras, plus the Symphony for Strings under Handley and the RPO, as well as the Symphony for Brass from the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, originally released on Argo.

For those who are familiar with Arnold's symphonies, Handley's view of the composer's music is swift, clear, and hard hit. He complements the Hickox Chandos cycle well, which is of the distant, but full-sounding sonorities common with that British label; and of course, Malcolm Arnold himself, who was slow of tempo. Andrew Penny on Naxos finds a middle ground and historically, Sir Charles Groves was an excellent advocate of Arnold's music as well.

In any case, I enjoy Handley's approach. It is pert, colorful, and edgy, bringing out all of the colors of Arnold's music, but also not buffing any of the sharp edges of the composer's modernity. Despite the quartet of orchestras used, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra being the most common denominator in the cycle, there is a unanimity from Handley regardless of the ensemble being used.

As to the music, I like Sir Malcolm's symphonies best when he balances the eye-twinkling wit and lush cinematic harmonies with light, unexpected dissonance. His use of trumpet and percussion, including harp, not to mention outbursts of brass, are some of my favorite attributes of the composer's orchestrations.

There were two works which I had trouble identifying with - Symphony no. 3 and 7. These were tough, knotty, emotionally draining works. It was often difficult for me to get beyond their musical harshness, where the composer offered little for me to grasp on to, despite little cells of melodic or rhythmic motives which tended to run through these pieces. 

The later symphonies in particular were much more troubled in general, although this really worked for me in Symphony no. 9 where Malcolm Arnold completely changed direction in his approach to orchestration and musical textures. Otherwise, Arnold generally pleases with his distinct, quirky musical voice, one of Classical Music seriousness and filmic and jazzy irreverence. I can confidently say, Sir Malcolm was his own man in the symphony genre, and I am all the better for having heard them.

 

 

Performers
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble (op. 123)
BBC Concert Orchestra (op 11)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (op. 128)
Royal Liverpool Symphony Orchestra (opp. 63 & 71)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vernon Handley, conductor

Label: Argo / Conifer; Decca
Year: 1979 / 1990-1997; 2006
Total Timing: 5.39.13

 

 

 

I won't be visiting some of these symphonies often, for they were definitely not to my tastes. My wife called some a bit too modern, especially the later ones I noticed.

Yet, by and large, my own time with Arnold's absolute music in the symphony genre was successful listening. His contributions are certainly notable to my ears, and his music still sticks with me.

For those with an adventurous ear, this set is a no-brainer, but those 20th-Century shy should approach his symphonies slowly. Starting chronologically certainly lets you ease into the composer's singular style.

 

 

 

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