Arnold: Orchestral, Brass, and Piano Music

 

As opposed to Vol. 1 - The Eleven Symphonies and Vol. 2 - The Seventeen Concertos, Vol. 3 encompasses music most would know if they were familiar with the composer Sir Malcolm Arnold beforehand. A lot of concert overtures and concert suites which are aimed right at Joe Schmoe to enjoy.

Surprisingly, only the English Dances appear in their orchestral guise on this set, while the Scottish and Cornish Dances are heard in their brass arrangements. These popular folk-music suites must be the composer's calling card, so it is hard to imagine their absence. The English Dances we do get, however, is the rather agèd performance from Sir Adrian Boult in the 50s, so even that inclusion here is doused by their not-so-great sonic quality. This is partnered with a second version of Beckus the Dandipratt made even earlier with Eduard van Beinum.

Aside from the Fantasy for Brass Band and the Brass Quintet no. 1, the brass album is also mostly made up of arrangements of Arnold's orchestral music, although it is fun to hear the composer leading Grimethorpe Colliery in the Padstow Lifeboat. The rest I would most preferably hear in their original orchestral context.

As a significant extra, an entire disc is centered on the solo piano music of Malcolm Arnold. While none will become life-long favorites, hearing the composer's love of jazz and other influences espoused on piano makes for an interesting listen.

But with the three volumes in Decca's Malcolm Arnold Edition series, I was most interested in becoming familiar with his symphonies and concertos, so your mileage may vary on the effectiveness of this third volume. Certainly having Vernon Handley leading the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra through most of the orchestral literature finds Arnold's music in strong hands.

 

 

 

 

Soloists
Benjamin Frith, piano
Malcolm Arnold, trumpet
Derek James, trombone

Ensembles
BBC Concert Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Vernon Handley, conductor
London Musici
    Mark Stephenson, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Sir Adrian Boult, conductor
    Eduard van Beinum, conductor
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
    Elgar Howarth, conductor
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble

Label: Conifer, Argo, Koch; Decca
Year: 1947-54, 1970, 1991-97, 2004; 2006
Total Timing: 4.33.30

 

 

 

Everything on these four CDs are eminently enjoyable for any type of listener. Malcolm Arnold knew how to cater to a wide audience for entertainment purposes when he wished.

Aside from some fine performances by Vernon Handley, nothing here is going to bring the house down. Yet I would be remiss to say if I wasn't pleased listening throughout these four volumes, for this was a most enjoyable listening experience and am glad to have spent the time with Sir Malcolm.

 

 

 

 

Find more Arnold recordings HERE!