Track Listing

1. Symphony No.4, Op.52 (1948): i. Andante - Allegro
2. ii. Andante con moto
3. iii. Allegro vivace
4. Symphony No.5, Op.77 (1955-7): i. Andante con moto
5. ii. Andante - Molto vivace - Andante - Espressivo - Tempo - Meno mosso - Presto - Lento6. iii. Andante e serioso

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #88424 in Music
• Released on: 2007-07-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 64 minutes

Album Description
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Martin Yates gives immaculate, impassioned readings of Arnell's Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, on this, the fouth disc in Dutton Epoch's ongoing series of music by this important British composer. The Fourth Symphony, which Arnell had begun to write in America in 1948 but had returned to London to complete in the same year, is the composer's response to the post-war world - one of bombsites and privation. The music is powerfully wrought, and its strongly felt dramatic build-ups and climaxes leave a lasting impression on the listener. In contrast the Fifth Symphony, with its heart-on-sleeve finale, is more optimistic and outgoing in nature and is perhaps Arnell's most approachable and potentially popular symphony. Started in 1955 and completed in 1957, Arnell dedicated the Fifth Symphony to his father and in tribute to him ingeniously quotes elements of the music hall tune 'Dear Old Pals, Jolly Old Pals'. With this release Dutton Epoch again shows itself to be at the forefront of the revival of 20th century British classical music.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely fantastic!
I raved enthusiastically over Arnell's epic wartime Third Symphony and these works are just as good, or even better. Both are absolutely first rate, gripping from first to last. The Fifth, in particular, dedicated in memory of Arnell's father is one of the best 20th century symphonies I know. It features a tune based on an old music hall song "Dear old Pals, Jolly old Pals" which Arnell's father apparently liked to sing. When it returns, at the end of the Symphony, it is a wonderfully moving and touching moment. I have played this CD over and over again since buying it. Echoes of Copland, Nielsen, Alwyn and, at one point, even Bruckner resonate through these works but Arnell is still a composer of vision and originality.

If you like melodic, well-structured, moving and powerful symphonies, don't miss this great tribute to Arnell on his 90th birthday.

arnell Symphony no 5
I first heard Arnell's fifth symphony in 1976. The BBC Northern with John Cerew conducting. Of course I recorded it on a cheap mono cassette player (pretty wonderful technology then for a sixteen year old). The music had instant appeal. I had been exposed to great and varied music by BBC R3 for several years up till ten. What a gift that station was uncompromising in its vision. The programming seems to talk down now along with taking fewer risks - but on the whole remains good.

As a boy I treasured the music of Walton (especially the first symphony), Arnold, Alwyn, Roy Harris and
Bax and the exciting new music by younger composers, such as Bedford, Matthews, and Birtwistle. I remember at the time, 1976, traveling down to Glastonbury in June to be at the first Glastonbury festival since 71 and especially climbing the Tor at sunrise and in my mind hearing the middle movement of Arnells Firth. After several decades the music would bubble up in to my conscious. In 95 Arnells 6th was first performed on R3. The language was different somehow, small groupings of orchestration with economical intent but the emotive force and structure was Arnell. I wrote to the composer straight away to thank him for his music and to my surprise he wrote back.

This must seem all very self absorbed, but the point is that the music of Richard Arnell was seriously neglected since the late 50's and only in the last couple of years, thanks to Martin Yates have all his symphony's been recorded, till then hardy a note of Arnells music was commercially available.

The firth symphony has immediate appeal. This Symphony is forceful with aim and displays a varied emotive range expressed through colour, developing themes and structural build up. The orchestration is thrilling and emotive. At other times tranquil with a hit of poignant far away lyrical yearning, this quality is haunting. In a way it has the urgency of Walton's first and the completeness of form and clear aim with a uplifting conclusion unlike Roy Harris great 3rd, nevertheless remaining an individual and distinctive voice. The performance is good by the RSO, although at times the sound a little muddled in clarity, perhaps the post production?, or under rehearsed. And I may be wrong but the last movement seems to be taken too fast. I think the material needs to breathe a bit. What a great BBC Prom concert to include this Symphony.