Arnold: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4

Malcolm Arnold (Composer), Andrew Penny (Conductor), National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland
• Conductor: Andrew Penny
• Composer: Malcolm Arnold
• Audio CD (May 12, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B0000060CQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,551 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This is the strongest entry so far in Naxos's Malcolm Arnold cycle. The orchestra, for one, is securely on top of and inside these deceptively difficult scores, yielding little to their Bournesmith (Conifer) and London (Chandos) counterparts, albeit less well recorded. Andrew Penny elicits well-oiled, judiciously balanced section work that heightens Arnold's unabashed melodic appeal and orchestral wizardry. Listeners coming to this composer for the first time await a delicious bargain. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars No.4: one of the greatest. No.3: pretty darn good., July 11, 2009

By	Samuel Stephens "aka "Hector"" (TN, USA) - See all my reviews

If you are reading this review as a new listener of Malcolm Arnold, I want to immediately point you in the direction of his Symphonies Nos.2 and 5. That's the best place to start with his symphonies.

The next best place would be here, with his wild and animalistic Symphony No.4. Ok, maybe "animalistic" is going a bit far, but that's what the wild and jungle-evoking Finale might bring to mind. Granted, No.4 is a little 'funkier' than Symphonies No.2 and 5, but like them it is original in voice and expression. Arnold has a singular and identifiable composer's voice. Symphony No.4 contains Arnold's signature use of spooky half-childish percussion, as well as his grand writing for brass and woodwinds. Also like most Arnold symphonies, the music takes us on a ride through the night. This time, it sounds like we're on a midnight safari. It's surely one of his best symphonies.

Symphony No.3 is in three movements. It's not as much fun as NO.4, but still has the power of Arnold's best writing. The first movement and the finale are fine and grand examples of this composer's way with thematic development.

So, in addition to the other releases from Andrew Penny and the Ireland SO, pick up this CD and enjoy music from a true symphonist.