Bargains

[Stanfordian]

Staying off topic for a moment......
Interested that you chose Arnold's own recording of number 4 (presumably Lyrita).
I have it too, but it is very slow: 54' 11" compared with Penny's 37' 47”!

I have the Naxos set, the LPO Arnold 4 on Lyrita, and others on a couple of EMI issues: numbers 1 (Bournemouth/Arnold), 2 (Bournemouth/Groves), and 5 (CBSO/Arnold). Tempted by the forthcoming bargain box, but I already have some concerto recordings too.

Is there really a Groves 5, or was that wishful thinking?

Hiya Pulcinella,

That's quite a difference in timing in Symphony No. 4 between the Arnold and Penny accounts. Is it possible that Penny made cuts?

[Pulcinella]

Hiya Pulcinella,

That's quite a difference in timing in Symphony No. 4 between the Arnold and Penny accounts. Is it possible that Penny made cuts?

I haven't listened that closely. But I don't think it's lack of exposition repeats! (Very red face if it is!)
Let's hope someone more learned knows. I think that Arnold was present at the Penny recordings, so presumably he approved of the tempi.
Individual movement timings are as follows.
Arnold: 18' 48", 5' 40", 18' 40", 11' 03"
Penny: 13' 00", 5' 01", 11' 36", 7' 59"

But then, Arnold is lugubrious in the Sarabande from Solitaire too: 5' 39" with the LPO, and 5' 47" with Bournemouth, compared with 3' 09" for Thomson with The Philharmonia.

[Alison]

The Arnold Fourth is a slow burn performance especially in (i) and I find it very compelling. Other performances can't help seem matter of fact by comparison. A quite outstanding recording quality, vintage Lyrita, is no hindrance to pleasure. It's also one of those instances where the LPO sound the best orchestra in the world.

[EdgeleyRob]

Staying off topic for a moment......
Interested that you chose Arnold's own recording of number 4 (presumably Lyrita).
I have it too, but it is very slow: 54' 11" compared with Penny's 37' 47”!

I have the Naxos set, the LPO Arnold 4 on Lyrita, and others on a couple of EMI issues: numbers 1 (Bournemouth/Arnold), 2 (Bournemouth/Groves), and 5 (CBSO/Arnold). Tempted by the forthcoming bargain box, but I already have some concerto recordings too.

Is there really a Groves 5, or was that wishful thinking?

Double doh ! Meant CBSO Arnold (c/w the Groves 2)
Wishful thinking indeed, or a senior moment.

[EdgeleyRob]

Hiya Pulcinella,

That's quite a difference in timing in Symphony No. 4 between the Arnold and Penny accounts. Is it possible that Penny made cuts?

No cuts Stan.
I did find that the Lyrita Arnold 4 took some getting used to at one time now it just seems to make absolute sense

[EdgeleyRob]

The Arnold Fourth is a slow burn performance especially in (i) and I find it very compelling. Other performances can't help seem matter of fact by comparison. A quite outstanding recording quality, vintage Lyrita, is no hindrance to pleasure. It's also one of those instances where the LPO sound the best orchestra in the world.

Although I don't think it makes other interpretations sound matter of fact Alison, just different but equally compelling.

[Barbirollians]

Arnold leaves me cold . I had that Conifer recording of concertos but they were pretty forgettable - the Arnold 1 as on the BBCMM Cd of a few years back I couldn't stick at all .

Is there anything that could be recommended to an Arnoldphobe to seek to convert them ?

[Dave2002]

Arnold leaves me cold . I had that Conifer recording of concertos but they were pretty forgettable - the Arnold 1 as on the BBCMM Cd of a few years back I couldn't stick at all .

Is there anything that could be recommended to an Arnoldphobe to seek to convert them ?

The flute concertos are pleasant enough, though not earth shattering. Didn't Arnold also write some flute pieces for use at competitions?

I do enjoy the Scottish and English dances - on a good day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHnBibfWu2Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeL_vhMpIgA - this I generally like

[cloughie]

I do enjoy the Scottish and English dances - on a good day!

...or the Cornish Dances any day - what great tunes!

Peterloo, Tam and Padstow Lifeboat I enjoy too. MA could write serious symphonies Vaughan Williams meets Shostakovich, but also had fun with music.

[Beef Oven!]

The Arnold Fourth is a slow burn performance especially in (i) and I find it very compelling. Other performances can't help seem matter of fact by comparison. A quite outstanding recording quality, vintage Lyrita, is no hindrance to pleasure. It's also one of those instances where the LPO sound the best orchestra in the world.

I treasure that CD. Yes it's a tad broad, but what an all-round performance.

[teamsaint]

Arnold leaves me cold . I had that Conifer recording of concertos but they were pretty forgettable - the Arnold 1 as on the BBCMM Cd of a few years back I couldn't stick at all .

Is there anything that could be recommended to an Arnoldphobe to seek to convert them ?

I'd suggest the First Violin Sonata , and the Piano Trio.
Both on the first Nash ensemble CD, if you can find it online.

[Conchis]

Malcolm Arnold's only appearance in my collection is in Deep Purple's Concerto For Rock Group & Orchestra, in which he conducts the RPO.

I don't doubt that this is far and away the best selling disc he ever put his name to.

[Barbirollians]

Cheers teamsaint - shall investigate.

[Beef Oven!]

Arnold leaves me cold . I had that Conifer recording of concertos but they were pretty forgettable - the Arnold 1 as on the BBCMM Cd of a few years back I couldn't stick at all .

Is there anything that could be recommended to an Arnoldphobe to seek to convert them ?

You should try the Lyrita disc of his English and other dances. If you don't thoroughly enjoy this music making of the highest order, you can at least feel comfortable that Arnold is not for you.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Arnold leaves me cold ... Is there anything that could be recommended to an Arnoldphobe to seek to convert them ?

Try this first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9WJuwmTDZM

... and if it tantalises the taste buds, try it in the context of the whole work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNBOK5WcgZE&list=PL9mtrtpxrYTfOFehcEBMMvfco0bFALXgb

If neither this nor the various sets of Dances appeals, then he's probably not for you. If it does, then the other symphonies (which I think are his best works) are an ocean you can navigate across in your own good time - many of them available on YouTube.