Arnold: Overtures

Malcolm Arnold (Artist), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist), David Nolan (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reference Recordings
• ASIN: B000001593
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,102 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Arnold's Best, May 3, 2001

By 

Walter P. Sheppard (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Arnold: Overtures (Audio CD)

Malcolm Arnold is an absolute master of the orchestra thanks to long experience as a player (trumpet) in London orchestras, to his experience as a film composer and conductor (Bridge on the River Kwai, for instance), and to his natural gifts as a composer. He has a strong, well-profiled melodic sense and a superb rhythmic sense. These overtures are prime examples in miniature form of his work, and the peformances are impeccable: authoritative from the man himself, who knows just how to get the results he wants from the players. He lets his creations bloom in a way that holds your attention - and brings you back for repeated hearings. If you do not know Arnold, this is a perfect introduction. If you do know his work, why are you reading this; you should be ordering it! (Technically, the disc is beyond reproach in the best Reference tradition.)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There are no words ..........., July 27, 2007

By 

Robert C. Hufford (Hopewell, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arnold: Overtures (Audio CD)

.....to express just how wonderful this recording is. Great composers do not always do a great job conducting their own music, but Arnold sure did. [One could wish that Mahler had lived till we learned to record full orchestras].

All five tracks are wonderful, and the interpretation is, naturally, definitive. Track five, "Commonwealth Christmas Overture" is the longest, and is one of the most absolutely joyous things I've ever heard.

Several years ago, the folks at Reference Recordings told me that this was the best recording they had ever done. They MAY be right, but they have done a lot of great stuff. Two things I know [1] Keith Johnson got this absolutely perfect, and [2] this is one of the all time joys of recorded sound.

A final word about track three, "The Smoke"....it has some of the most astounding percussion you will ever hear. IF YOU CRANK IT UP TOO HIGH, YOU WILL DESTROY YOUR SPEAKERS!!! Get this record without fail; you'll love it. But, if you ignore my warning, I will not pay to replace your speakers.