Credits:

Yates, Sophie

Description:

Malcolm Arnold will celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2021. He is regarded both as a composer of outstanding film music and as one of the most serious symphonic composers of 20th century England. The two works on this album clearly show the contrasting sides of Arnold. The title of "Gastronomical Grand Concerto" is interesting enough to make one think of the jovial and friendly Arnold, who premiered the work in 1961 for the "Hoffnang Music Festival" (Arnold was a friend of Gerald Hoffnang, the cartoonist and founder of the festival), A series of courses are depicted in sound. The waiter brings in the ceremonial napkins, followed by hors d'oeuvres including oysters, soup, main course of roast beef and cheese, and the arrival of dessert, a peach melba (here a parody of Gounod's Ave Maria). Then coffee and an after-dinner drink round out the meal. The waiter essentially plays a major role, but it is fully enjoyable to listen to the sound alone. This is the world premiere recording of this piece. In turn, Symphony No. 9 is serious music.Composed after Arnold himself said that he "went through hell," the piece, which was completed much later due to a battle with illness, leaves a strong impression with its modulation to a major key that seems to light up at the end of the gloomy fourth movement. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater, Waiter, Food and Large Orchestra, Op. 76~I. Prologue
2.Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater, Waiter, Food and Large Orchestra, Op. 76~II. Soup (Brown Windsor)
3.Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater, Waiter, Food and Large Orchestra, Op. 76~III. Roast Beef
4.Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater, Waiter, Food and Large Orchestra, Op. 76~IV. Cheese
5.Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater, Waiter, Food and Large Orchestra, Op. 76~V. Peach Melba
6.Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater, Waiter, Food and Large Orchestra, Op. 76~VI. Coffee, Brandy. Epilogue
7.Symphony No. 9 in D major, Op. 128~I. Vivace
8.Symphony No. 9 in D major, Op. 128~II. Allegretto
9.Symphony No. 9 in D major, Op. 128~III. Giubiloso
10.Symphony No. 9 in D major, Op. 128~IV. Lento