Arnold, Sir Malcolm (1921-2006)

[HighlandDougie]

I have the Arte Nova disc. Odd the same orchestra and conductor recorded exactly the same works less than a decade apart.
Perhaps the Hyperion disc was a shambles and they wanted a second go !!

A quick check via Discogs reveals that they are the same recordings.

[Pulcinella]

A quick check via Discogs reveals that they are the same recordings.

Something odd though, HD.

The recording dates on the Arte Nova release insert say October 5, 6, 1996, with Producer Wulf Weinmann, which does not match the discogs listing.

https://www.discogs.com/release/2516876-Malcolm-Arnold-London-Festival-Orchestra-Ross-Pople-Concertos-Sinfoniettas

[HighlandDougie]

Something odd though, HD.

The recording dates on the Arte Nova release insert say October 5, 6, 1996, with Producer Wulf Weinmann, which does not match the discogs listing.

https://www.discogs.com/release/2516...s-Sinfoniettas

Indeed not, although I’m more inclined to put my trust in Discogs than what appears in the Arte Nova booklet. Does it mention recording dates? I just find it ever so slightly implausible that there would be duplicate recordings of minor Malcolm Arnold. I suspect that the original recordings were made by, and I hazard a guess, Conifer or its ilk, then licensed to Arte Nova and later again licensed to Hyperion.

[teamsaint]

Something odd though, HD.

The recording dates on the Arte Nova release insert say October 5, 6, 1996, with Producer Wulf Weinmann, which does not match the discogs listing.

https://www.discogs.com/release/2516...s-Sinfoniettas

The timings are pretty different too, and the flute solo role credited to Anna Pyne on the Arte Nova disc , and Edward Beckett on the discogs listing for both.
a listen to both of them seems the way forward !,

[Pulcinella]

Indeed not, although I’m more inclined to put my trust in Discogs than what appears in the Arte Nova booklet. Does it mention recording dates? I just find it ever so slightly implausible that there would be duplicate recordings of minor Malcolm Arnold. I suspect that the original recordings were made by, and I hazard a guess, Conifer or its ilk, then licensed to Arte Nova and later again licensed to Hyperion.

The discogs Hyperion dates are
(P) & (C) Hyperion Records Limited, London, MCMLXXXIX.
Made in England.
Recorded on 28, 29, 30 November 1988.
Total time 60:10

whereas those given in the Arte Nova booklet, as mentioned above, are October 5, 6, 1996, The Warehouse, London.

That said, the track timings are significantly different.
For example, Sinfonietta 1: AN (printed on CD and in the notes) 02'13", 03'15", 02'20"; Hyperion (discogs) 2'25", 4'54", 2'23".
The running order is different too, though that's perhaps not that significant for a re-release.

Very odd. It does look like they are two different recordings.

Here's the discogs listing for the Arte Nova release:

https://www.discogs.com/release/19087783-Malcolm-Arnold-London-Festival-Orchestra-Ross-Pople-Concertos-Sinfoniettas

PS: The soloists ARE mentioned, as ts has spotted, which seems to clinch the case!

[teamsaint]

The discogs Hyperion dates are
(P) & (C) Hyperion Records Limited, London, MCMLXXXIX.
Made in England.
Recorded on 28, 29, 30 November 1988.
Total time 60:10

whereas those given in the Arte Nova booklet, as mentioned above, are October 5, 6, 1996, The Warehouse, London.

Sadly no details of soloists, which might have helped.
That said, the track timings are significantly different.
For example, Sinfonietta 1: AN (printed on CD and in the notes) 02'13", 03'15", 02'20"; Hyperion (discogs) 2'25", 4'54", 2'23".
The running order is different too, though that's perhaps not that significant for a re-release.

Very odd. It does look like they are two different recordings.

the Hyperion recording details
Recording details: November 1988
St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Martin Compton
Engineered by Tryggvi Tryggvason
Release date: November 1989
Total duration: 58 minutes 58 seconds

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66332

[teamsaint]

Anna Pyne is currently principle Flute at the BSO. Maybe she can shed some light on this ?!

[HighlandDougie]

OK, slapping myself on the wrist, I should have done a bit more research, rather than - sloppily - relying on the by no means reliable Discogs database. I’m no great fan of Malcolm Arnold so can’t imagine why anyone might want to re-record his Sinfoniettas but clearly someone did want to do so. Anna Pyne is, pedantically and with apologies to TS, Principal Flute.

[Pulcinella]

OK, slapping myself on the wrist, I should have done a bit more research, rather than - sloppily - relying on the by no means reliable Discogs database. I’m no great fan of Malcolm Arnold so can’t imagine why anyone might want to re-record his Sinfoniettas but clearly someone did want to do so. Anna Pyne is, pedantically and with apologies to TS, Principal Flute.

She's probably got principles to stick by, though!

[MickyD]

I've been lazy and not read all of this thread, but would like to ask Arnold enthusiasts a simple question - I want to discover the symphonies, so which cycle would you recommend overall?
Many thanks!

[Pulcinella]

I've been lazy and not read all of this thread, but would like to ask Arnold enthusiasts a simple question - I want to discover the symphonies, so which cycle would you recommend overall?
Many thanks!

I have both the Conifer (Handley) and Naxos (Penny, as individual CDs, not the later available full set) recordings and don't think you could go wrong with either. The composer himself was present at some of the sessions and the endorsed many of the Naxos set. But a wide variety of interpretations is clearly possible: the Penny recording of S4 takes 37'47", while Arnold's own, on Lyrita, is a massive 54'11".

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/107258--arnold-symphonies-nos-1-9/browse

I don't know the Chandos set, so can't comment.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8057390--arnold-the-complete-symphonies

If you're streaming you can always mix and match (there are EMI recordings of 1, 2, and 5, two of which are under the composer and the other under Groves).

[smittims]

In my view Handley and Hickox make Penny sound pale and uncompetitive: a pity , as it was a pionering effort, and we'd be grateful if no other set was aavilable.

But it's always worth trying to hear the composer himself . He was an able conductor, not just of his own music.In addition to the EMI/Pye 1,2 and 5 there was a fine no. 3 on Everest which is worth searching for. ,

[MickyD]

Thank you, most helpful. Any more comments will be welcome !

[Andrew Slater]

Just a reminder that the online festival begins at 11am (2nd half at 3pm):

https://malcolm-arnold-festival.livevideostream.co.uk/

[smittims]

I've mentioned on another thread the Talking Pictures Tv showing of The Deep Blue Sea next Sunday , but I would say here that I think it has one of Malcolm Arnold's best film scores. Not a lot of music, but very nicely integrated with the drama.