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

Richard Arnell (Composer), Martin Yates (Conductor), Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• Conductor: Martin Yates
• Composer: Richard Arnell
• Audio CD (June 13, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dutton Labs UK
• ASIN: B000ECWY9O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,956 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nobility and heroism from an earlier age, July 10, 2006

By 

Rex Barron (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Richard Arnell: Symphony No. 3; The New Age - Overture (Audio CD)

Arnell is new to me, although English symphonies from the first half of the 20th century are among my very favorite things in life. This is, quite simply, one of the greatest "war" symphonies ever written--broad, sweeping, triumphant and elegiac, with superb writing for the brass. One of those pieces that makes you glad to be alive, even with the tears.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Symphony of Courage, March 26, 2008

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Richard Arnell: Symphony No. 3; The New Age - Overture (Audio CD)

The music of Richard Arnell was new to me with this CD. Arnell's Third Symphony (1944 - 45) is a massive and dramatic work in six movements. The opening movement is energetic and dramatic, signaling what is to come, and doubtlessly was influenced by events of the Second World War; the composer's mother was killed during the Blitz and the symphony is dedicated to "the courage of the British people." The energy of the first movements continues in the second with a more bucolic middle section that seems to describe life in the British countryside. The third movement is probably the heart of the symphony; it is at turns somber and heroic, reflecting more closely the courage in adversity that is Mr. Arnell's subject. The Scherzo is exuberant and rowdy making an excellent contrast to the darkness of the Andante. The music returns, briefly, to the darkness in the short fifth movement before the closing Allegro. The opening of the Finale is quiet and slowly builds. The mood is triumphant and the symphony is brought to a blazing conclusion.

The disc includes The New Age Overture (1939), a nicely orchestrated work that was originally titles Highgate Hill. Listening to the music one has the feeling it is descriptive of a particular place and the people living there. Richard Arnell's music is beautifully descriptive and tuneful. The recording is well-balanced and is performed magnificently by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious, Enchanting Life-Asserting Music, June 30, 2007

By 

Jolly Roger - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Arnell: Symphony No. 3; The New Age - Overture (Audio CD)

I was spellbound by this wonderful music, Arnell's 3rd symphony had me singing out loud (especially in the 2nd movement). And the final movement will bring the house down. Arnell's style is traditional, tonal and ingeniously orchestrated. It has the high majesty of Elgar, the natural lyricism of Vaughan Willams and the orchestral inventiveness of Alwyn.
The New Age overture is also an enchanting and creative piece, a clever English hybrid in the style of Hindemith's Matis der Maler.
Arnell is an British national treasure and it's high time the world came to know his music.