Certainly what we have on this CD is one of his most remarkable pieces, the final section of the 5th Symphony. Firstly though the 4th which Arnell describes as his ‘most condensed, most intense, and perhaps the most personal’, appears. It was composed in 1948 a year after his return to England from America and is therefore the first of his symphonies composed within his homeland.
There are three movements, "Andante-Allegro", "Andante", and "Allegro vivace". The finale of this work is surprisingly brief which Arnell explained as representing the telescopic nature of the construction, each movement growing progressively briefer, as if to look through the wrong end of the telescope itself. Again the informative album notes has him explaining that the combined weight of the second and third movements equal that of its first.
Certainly the first movement of the 4th Symphony has a monumental scale that is quite remarkable. It builds towards a dramatic conclusion that sits in contrast to the atmosphere of romantic nostalgia achieved within the second. The third, or finale, is energetic, and vigorous in comparison moving towards a surprisingly abrupt ending.
Arnell’s 5th Symphony of three movements, is contrastingly different from its immediate predecessor. Whereas the 4th often takes some surprising turns along a route often described by experts as ‘inevitable’, the 5th is considered as more sequential.
Certainly his genius of introducing the most satisfying and often magnificent melodic sections is never better displayed than within the glorious, emotionally entrancing, and upliftingly triumphant finale.
This impressively recorded CD is taken from a performance of the MusicaNova Orchestra. Founded in 2003 by its conductor Warren Cohen the orchestra is based in Arizona. The orchestra’s ethos is built upon the performance of new and neglected music of the highest calibre. Certainly the two immensely satisfying works contained within this CD emphatically achieve that desire.
Richard Arnell who is now 91 years of age lives in England. The case for his being the greatest living English composer is undoubtedly strengthened by the evidence contained on this disc.
The Con Brio Recordings label can be found by visiting their website. Richard Arnell has an official website and the MusicaNova Orchestra can be found on their own webpage.
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