COMPOSERS: Arnold
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Homage to the Queen; English Dances; Scottish Dances, Homage to the Queen; English Dances; Scottish Dances
PERFORMER: RPO/Malcolm Arnold, Philharmonia/Robert Irving
CATALOGUE NO: 5 66120 2 ADD mono/ stereo (1954-8)
Robert Irving’s Arnold recordings with the Philharmonia in the Fifties are unquestionably classics. Arnold’s sheer verve and cheek breathe through his Coronation ballet Homage to the Queen and the Philharmonia’s dazzling individual players are every bit its match. The soloists in a useful collection of the concertos are fine, too, with Richard Adeney (flute) and Alan Civil (horn) pick of the bunch. A raspy, close-miked acoustic mars the opening First Clarinet Concerto, however, and the Bournemouth strings have the odd ropy moment. Roderic Dunnett
Arnold: Homage to the Queen; English Dances; Scottish Dances, Homage to the Queen; English Dances; Scottish Dances
Robert Irving’s Arnold recordings with the Philharmonia in the Fifties are unquestionably classics. Arnold’s sheer verve and cheek breathe through his Coronation ballet Homage to the Queen and the Philharmonia’s dazzling individual players are every bit its match. The soloists in a useful collection of the concertos are fine, too, with Richard Adeney (flute) and Alan Civil (horn) pick of the bunch. A raspy, close-miked acoustic mars the opening First Clarinet Concerto, however, and the Bournemouth strings have the odd ropy moment. Roderic Dunnett
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm