DCD 044 - Richard Arnell

Con Brio Records has released a new CD by the MusicaNova Orchestra, conducted by Warren Cohen. The performances -- and the repertoire -- were so compelling, I just had to give the release its own podcast episode.

The disc is the U.S. recording premier of two symphonies by British composer Richard Arnell. Arnell was a contemporary of Benjamin Britten, and shortly before the Second World War lived and worked in the United States. Stokowski, Ormandy and other prominent musicians championed his music, and with good reason.

Arnell's compositions use the post-romantic language of Roy Harris, Walter Piston, and late Ralph Vaughan Williams. This isn't pretty music, but it is lyrical and well-crafted.

This episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we sample part of both symphonies from the recording. But the only way to truely appreciate Arnell's work is to hear the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies in their entirety -- which you can do, thanks to the MusicaNova Orchestra and Con Brio Recordings.

- Ralph

The program we play:

Arnell - Symphony No. 4, Movement 2
MusicaNova Orchestra, Warren Cohen, conductor
Con Brio Records

Arnell - Symphony No. 4, Movement 3
MusicaNova Orchestra, Warren Cohen, conductor
Con Brio Records


Arnell - Symphony No. 5, Movement 3
MusicaNova Orchestra, Warren Cohen, conductor
Con Brio Records