Search - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra :: Symphony 9

Impressive work of a most published 20th C. Composer

rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 09/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sir Malcolm certainly was active as a composer, putting forth creative efforts in all genres except for opera. Here offered are two compositions for oboe, inspired by the composer's friendship with oboist Leon Goossens. The Concertino is a melodic piece, with fine tonal phrasing by oboist Nicholas Daniel. He plays with passion and expression. The "Fantasy for Oboe," written specifically for a competition, is demanding technically and Daniels pulls it off magnificently. There is demand here for fast tonguing up and down scales, with octaves interspered. The history of the Ninth Symphony was revealing. Did not know the train of tragedy that surrounded others ninth's, nor the expectation that it be their monumental composition.Thus, Arnold's submission of this symphony at the request of BBC, only to have it delayed, until near his end is signficant.It highlights what I find attractive and enjoyable about this man's significant work. It is melodic, yet complex with it's breaks and dynamics shift and flow.He is particularly intriguing with his instrumental coloring and layering, particularly how he orients the fine wind work in the second and third movements, layered with the excellent brass and strings. I especially enjoy the strings not dominating, nor controlling most of the movement. They undergird and then surge up and around the melody line, thus much as any great movie soundtrack expert provides, e.g. J. Williams.This is enjoyable, simple yet complex work. At times it does provide for some uncomfortable listenging, but makes the whole quite attractive."

Only Silence Can Follow...

Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 07/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like many 9th symphonies, the 9th of Sir Malcolm Arnold is a weighty affair, ending with a long, brooding movement that seems to convey the weight of the whole world. Fans of Shostakovich and Mahler should find this symphony to be reminiscent of those composers, but fans of Malcolm Arnold will recognize his distinct musical voice. Filling out this CD are two works featuring the sound of the oboe. Both are pleasant (although the recording of the oboe in the solo piece is awfully close, picking up a host of extraneous noises), and are wisely placed first in the program, for after the finale of the 9th Symphony can come only silence. After completing this work in 1992, Sir Malcolm officially retired from composing."