Notes and Editorial Reviews
ARNELL
The Great Detective. The Angels
•
Martin Yates, cond; BBC Concert O
•
DUTTON 7208 (66:17)
After returning to Great Britain in 1947, Richard Arnell became very active on the composing scene. The 1950s saw a succession of new works, including his String Quartet No. 4, Symphony No. 5,
Concerto capriccioso, Landscape and Figures
, the Piano Suite in D Minor, the
Fox Variations
for piano—and three
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ballets. The first, not included on this release, was premiered by the Sadler’s Wells ballet company in 1951, and bears the intriguing title
Harlequin in April. The Great Detective
appeared two years later. To anyone in the English-speaking world, the detective in question would obviously be Sherlock Holmes. This tongue-in-cheek work referred to Doyle’s creations abstractly, however, so that Holmes became The Detective, Moriarty turned into The Fiend, and Dr. Watson became The Doctor. Though the critics panned elements of the production other than its score, audiences were delighted.
Arnell’s score comprised a series of discreet dances, employing the rich orchestral palette he’d delivered during his American years. The pieces have a musical weight that brings to mind Prokofiev, whose influence can also be felt in some of the numbers. The
pas de trois
“Distress Ladies and Doctor” might just as well be called “Prokofiev meets Moross,” for example, while some phrases in “Police and the Doctor” recall the Soviet master at his most mock genteel. There are several excellent tunes in
The Great Detective
, though the ending is curiously abrupt and underplayed.
The third ballet Arnell wrote for Sadler’s Wells was
The Angels
, first seen in 1957. His synopsis, printed in Lewis Foreman’s excellent liner notes, is tantalizingly brief. In the first of three movements, an angel, a figure of light, “reveals the characteristics of her creation.” “She brings men and women together in the ebb and flow of life,” goes the second movement. In the third, she chooses one figure from the mass of striving humanity to become immortal. Yet the score is full of incident, and far more symphonic in nature than its album companion is. The references to “movements” is literally Arnell’s, the first being an introduction, theme, and eight variations, the second, a 14-minute “roundelay,” and the third, a six-minute fast “finale” and soberly majestic “transformation.” While I’m intrigued as to how all this would be staged, the absence of visuals doesn’t matter to me as it does in
The Great Detective. The Angels
stands very well on its own after many repeated listenings. Even Arnell himself excerpted the roundelay for separate issue on a Pye recording he conducted, and which I’ve had in my LP collection for some time.
It has done splendid service, but it’s time to retire that disc. Yates, whom I referred to in a CD (Dutton 7195) that featured Arnell’s symphonic portrait
Lord Byron
and Dunhill’s Symphony in A Minor as “solid but methodical” and “without the sweep or passion in music that requires it,” here acquits himself very well, indeed. Perhaps he meshes better with the BBC Concert Orchestra than the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, or possibly they had more rehearsal time, or the works were simply easier to manage than heavier fare. Whatever the reason, there’s no lack of energy and swagger here, and no episodes of ragged ensemble and cloudy textures, as in the CD featuring Arnell’s Fourth and Fifth Symphonies (Dutton 7194). Yates and his musicians have the full measure of both works, and Dutton provides a fine, spacious, and colorful audio environment for the record, too. Highly recommended.
FANFARE: Barry Brenesal
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Works on This Recording
1.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Overture by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 0 Minutes 53 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
2.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Police and the Doctor by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 2 Minutes 27 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
3.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: The Distracted Ladies by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 3 Minutes 6 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
4.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Detective's Mental Arithmetic by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 0 Minutes 58 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
5.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Distressed Ladies and Suspect by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 2 Minutes 57 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
6.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Distressed Ladies and Doctor by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 1 Minutes 43 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
7.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: The Victims by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 3 Minutes 16 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
8.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: The Fiend by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 3 Minutes 26 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
9.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Villans by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 2 Minutes 26 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
10.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Villans and Police by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 1 Minutes 14 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
11.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Dance of Deduction by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 2 Minutes 35 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
12.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Finale by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 2 Minutes 23 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
13.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: The Fight by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 0 Minutes 21 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
14.
The Great Detective, Op. 68: Doctor's Distress by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1953; England
Length: 0 Minutes 51 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
15.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Introduction by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 2 Minutes 39 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
16.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Theme" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 1 Minutes 57 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
17.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Fluttering" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 1 Minutes 22 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
18.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Morbid" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 1 Minutes 52 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
19.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Strident" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 0 Minutes 51 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
20.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Terrified" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 1 Minutes 7 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
21.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Lyrical" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 2 Minutes 56 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
22.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Vigorous" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 0 Minutes 43 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
23.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Reflective" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 1 Minutes 55 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
24.
The Angels, Op. 81: 1st movement - Theme and Variations "Theme Restated" by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 1 Minutes 11 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
25.
The Angels, Op. 81: 2nd movement, Roundelay by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 14 Minutes 26 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
26.
The Angels, Op. 81: 3rd movement - Introduction by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 0 Minutes 17 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
27.
The Angels, Op. 81: 3rd movement - Finale by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 2 Minutes 42 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
28.
The Angels, Op. 81: 3rd movement - Transformation by Richard Arnell
Conductor:
Martin Yates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
BBC Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; England
Length: 3 Minutes 27 Secs.
Notes: Audio Engineer: Dexter Newman.
Audio Producer: Michael Ponder.
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