Malcolm Arnold

[rauschwerk]

What do people think of Richard Hickox's cycle of Arnold's symphonies?

It was completed by Rumon Gamba and I have often wondered why. After singing Mozart's Requiem for Hickox some years ago, I thanked him for his conducting and went on to tell him of my admiration for his Arnold recordings. The more I went on, the more uncomfortable he looked. I wonder if he abandoned the planned cycle because he fell out with the composer?

[Conchis]

Jon Lord, the Deep Purple keyboardist and composer of the Concerto held Arnold in awe-struck reverence, from what I've read. He would only ever refer to him as 'Doctor Arnold'.

Arnold seems to have achieved what passes for rock stardom among classical composers - his film scores paid him big money, most of which he blew. His personal life, though little is known about it, seems to have been generally anguished.

I would place him at the same level of achievement as Alwyn (see separate thread), with whom he shared a similar background and timeframe.

[Andrew Slater]

For anyone curious to know more, the Malcolm Arnold Festival is just over a month away (Sat 14th to Sun 15th October), in Northampton. Weekend passes (for everything except the Sunday evening concert) are a ridiculous £15.

For more info, there's a good book: Malcolm Arnold: Rogue Genius, written by Anthony Meredith and Paul Harris (who organises the festival), and a rather harrowing DVD by Tony Palmer.

The Arnold Society also now has a new website.

[EdgeleyRob]

A composer of the highest order.
So much anguish in the Symphonies,even the movements that appear to sound jolly IMO.
I wonder if one has to have suffered some form of mental illness (yes I have)to really understand ( I THINK I do)the utter despair and desperation in those last 3 Symphonies.

Favourite cycle

1 Hickox
2 Groves
3 Penny
4 Penny
5 Arnold
6 Handley
7 Hickox
8 Penny
9 Penny

[pastoralguy]

There's an interesting article about Arnold in Gramophone's October 1991 edition. (Page 53).

[BBMmk2]

So Richard Hickox didn't finish Arnold's symphony cycle. I wonder if John Wilson is an admirer of his work and finish the cycle?

[gradus]

So Richard Hickox didn't finish Arnold's symphony cycle. I wonder if John Wilson is an admirer of his work and finish the cycle?

Sounds like an inspired choice of conductor if JW is an admirer of Arnold.

[Pulcinella]

So Richard Hickox didn't finish Arnold's symphony cycle. I wonder if John Wilson is an admirer of his work and finish the cycle?

Sounds like an inspired choice of conductor if JW is an admirer of Arnold.

See message #31: completed by Rumon Gamba!

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Chandos/CHAN10853%25284%2529X

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Sounds like an inspired choice of conductor if JW is an admirer of Arnold.

But, as rauschy pointed out in #31, the "Hickox" CHANDOS cycle has already been completed - 7, 8, & 9 were recorded by Rumon Gamba and the BBC Phil.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnold-Complete-Symphonies-Orchestra-Philharmonic/dp/B00U2OT3FW

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

SNAP!

[BBMmk2]

Sounds like an inspired choice of conductor if JW is an admirer of Arnold.

Well, Chandos has done a lot for Arnold's music and JW is a fervent admirer of British music. As far as that Prom concert he did featuring British music, he wasn't that bad. Hence my choice.