Recordings

 

Symphony 4 and 5

Con Brio Recording

Richard Arnell's Symphonies 4 and 5 conducted by Warren Cohen with the Musica Nova Orchestra. See Patrick Jonathan's web site for the sleeve notes.

 

Symphony No. 2, Op. 33, “Rufus”, Piano Concerto, Op. 44.

Catalogue Number: 07J001

Label: Dutton Epoch

Reference: CDLX 7184

Format: CD

Price: $20.98

http://www.recordsinternational.com/

Description: Like the Third, Arnell’s second symphony is also, more or less, a “war symphony” (Rufus is the pseudonym under which it was submitted for a composition competition). Written in 1942 but revised in 1944, it has a long, tragic slow movement surrounded by fast outer movements whose mood ranges from optimism to resolve. The composer notes an affinity with Hindemith in the first movement but we are reminded of contemporary American symphonies in the finale. The concerto dates from 1946, commissioned by CBS (whose musical director, Bernard Herrmann, was Arnell’s friend). The piece combines a neo-classical clarity of orchestration with echt-romantic piano writing, often in octaves - there are plenty of heaven-storming examples in the outer movements. The slow movement, which opens with a long piano solo, sotto voce, is a remarkable anticipation of certain 1970s and 80s “new age” piano music which can be seen as derived from the early 20th century French interest in “oriental” scales and a generalized quality of still timelessness. David Owen Norris (piano), Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Martin Yates.

 

 

Richard Arnell: Symphony No. 3; The New Age - Overture

 

Some recommended CDs of Arnell's work, compiled by Patrick Jonathan

My favourite Arnell recording of all is that made by Beecham and the 
RPO which has been rereleased many times, and is currently available 
on Naxos:

http://www.classicsonline.com/catalogue/product.aspx?pid=681908

Of the modern recordings I may recommend Warren Cohen's recordings of 
the 4th and 5th symphonies, a release for which I wrote the sleeve 
notes:

http://www.musicanovaaz.org/arnellorder.htm

And, of course, there is the fantastic series of recordings released 
by Dutton Vocalion which includes all of the symphonies conducted by Martin Yates:



Chamber Music

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7122

Symphony 3

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7161

Symphony 2 and Piano Concerto

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7184

Symphonies 4 and 5

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7194

Lord Byron: A Symphonic Portrait

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7195

Ballet Music

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7208

Symphonies 1 and 6 and Sinfonia Quasi Variazione

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7217

Violin Concerto

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7221

Also you might like to look out for a DVD of the film 'The Third 
Secret' for which Arnell composed the score.

Patrick Jonathan

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