Arnold: Brass Bits 'n Bobs

 

While I have listened to a fair number of brass works from Sir Malcolm Arnold, notably those from the Third Volume of Decca's The Malcolm Arnold Edition, that one had a fair number of arrangements, and I wanted to hear some more original works for brass. Thus, this Bits 'n Bobs segment will feature a smattering of music for chamber brass and brass band.







Song of Freedom, op. 109
Fanfare for a Festival
Overseas March
Sweeney Todd: Suite
Peterloo Overture
Roots of Heaven: Overture

Of course, as soon as I say I want to go beyond arrangements for brass band, here are a bunch more. I will get to that in a minute.

The big news on this recording is the four-movement Song of Freedom for brass band and choir. It was written for school-aged performers, so don't expect the greatest of virtuosity, plus the addition of chorus, here female voices only, is unusual. However, when the third movement Intermezzo breaks into girl's flapper number, I know I am firmly in the land of Malcolm Arnold. This won't become a new favorite, but for a composer who wrote relatively little for voice and choir, nonetheless chorus backed by brass band, what a find.

I thought, of all the arrangements made for brass band, the militaristic Peterloo seems made for a brass iteration. Indeed, brass and percussion instruments fit like a glove to this music, although the orchestral version is more oppressive, where the brass band sound is rather clean in comparison. This goes for Sweeney Todd too, where the soft-shoe, 20-40s jazz elements go right up the brass alley. I should mention, the orchestral suite goes for some 20 minutes, while this brass arrangement is only eight minutes.

It has been such a long time since I heard the overture from the film Roots of Heaven, from Rumon Gamba on Chandos, that I had to give it a try. Also, I hadn't heard the Overseas March before, nor do I recall the Fanfare for a Festival. The former is a bit Plain-Jane and overlong, but the latter is a lot of fun.

Brass Quintet no. 2, op. 132
Little Suite for Brass no. 3, op. 131
Fanfare for Louis

I had heard both the Little Suites for Brass 1 & 2 and Brass Quintet no. 1, so it only made sense to hear the last in each genre.

Both works make for very light listening. I remember the First Brass Quintet being tougher and more developed, while this Second Brass Quintet is over before it begins, so short are its three movements. The Little Suites were always brief compositions, and this third one is no different. If you have heard any of Arnold's lighter concertos, these fall into that category.

Well, if I thought the Duke of Cambridge March would have a solid place in royal occasions, the Fanfare for Louis is more astringent and complex harmonically. Written for only two trumpets, both Simon Lenten and Angela Whelan do a fine job here.

Fantasy for Horn

Sir Malcolm composed a whole bunch of solo instrument fantasies. This recording includes those for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. Having heard the Nash Ensemble's Quintet for flute, violin, viola, horn, and bassoon recently, I thought I would give a listen to the Fantasy for Horn, as I enjoyed that instrument that larger work.

The outer portions remind me of a swaggering sea shanty, while the inner section is unexpectedly more lyrically contrasting. As in all of his solo-instrument fantasies, this one for horn bears no accompaniment, and is ably portrayed by British hornist John Pigneguy. For those wishing to go further, you can find them for other brass instruments such as trumpet, trombone, and tuba, many woodwinds, as well as more unusual instruments such as the guitar, harp, and recorder.

Bits 'n Bobs

Song of Freedom, op. 109
Sweeney Todd, op. 68: Suite
Peterloo Overture, op. 97
Fanfare for a Festival
Overseas March
Roots of Heaven: Overture
  Foden's Band
  Michael Fowles, conductor
  Malcolm Arnold Society; 2024


Little Suite for Brass no. 3, op. 131
Brass Quintet no. 2, op. 132
Fanfare for Louis (1970)  
  Fine Arts Brass
  Nimbus; 2006

Fantasy for Horn, op. 88
  John Pigneguy, horn
  Hyperion; 1984, 2001

 

 

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