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Nimbus

Arnold: Complete Brass Chamber Music / Fine Arts Brass

$20.99

Details

Composer
ARNOLD, MALCOLM
Artist
Fine Arts Brass
Format
CD
Label
Nimbus
Released
Oct 01, 2006
Catalog #
NI5804
UPC
710357580420

About



ARNOLD Fanfare for Louis. Brass Quintet No.1. Little Suites: No. 1; No. 2; No. 3. Fantasies: for Trumpet; for Horn; for Trombone; for Tuba. Brass Quintet No. 2. Symphony for Brass • Fine Arts Brass • NIMBUS 5804 (79:21)


This recording is a fitting tribute to Malcolm Arnold, who died in September 2006, only a matter of weeks after this music was recorded. An extraordinary trumpeter himself, Arnold knew how to write for brass. His music has color and cohesion, energy and depth. Music for brass can be a kind of narcissistic pleasure, delighting players with the opportunity to show off their chops. Yet its pleasures can be hard to communicate to audiences who might admire the performers while remaining detached and emotionally aloof. But Arnold was able to bridge the gap, sounding both contemporary and timeless, challenging players to the highest levels of their craft yet interesting and satisfying audiences.


Arnold wrote an astonishing array of combinations for brass instruments. Solos for trumpet, trombone, horn, and even tuba. A trumpet duo. Brass quintets. And a symphony for brass, with the Fine Arts Brass augmented by two trumpets and three trombones. The diversity gives this recording balance and freshness. The level of playing is consistently high, but I would single out Sam Elliot, who excels in the four-and-a-half-minute Fantasy for Tuba. As an example of the admirable flow in this recording, the Tuba Fantasy segues nicely into Arnold’s Second Brass Quintet, and then into the Symphony for Brass. It is this kind of juxtaposition that keeps the listener involved, wanting more, waiting to hear what Arnold might think of next.


The symphony clearly is the major work here. Arnold doesn’t assault us with deafening sound but rather surprises us with abundant contrasts, tight pianissimos, and fleet counterpoint. His instrumentation focuses on choirs and constantly shifting combinations of soloists and accompaniment. In the opening moments of the third movement, for example, thrilling trumpets are set against an apocalyptic lower brass choir. A similar combination is heard in the symphony’s final measures, to awe-inspiring effect.


This is glorious music, gloriously played and recorded. The Fine Arts Brass and their colleagues deserve the highest of praise. With almost 80 minutes of music, this is a thoroughly enjoyable disc. Highly recommended.


FANFARE: John E. Roos

Tracklist 24 tracks

  1. 1 Fanfare for louis 02:07
    Track
    1
    Title
    Fanfare for louis
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Simon Lenton, Angela Whelan
  2. 2 I. Allegro vivace 04:22
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. Allegro vivace
    Duration
    04:22
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  3. 3 II. Chaconne 04:41
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Chaconne
    Duration
    04:41
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  4. 4 III. Con brio 03:20
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Con brio
    Duration
    03:20
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  5. 5 Trumpet Fantasy, Op. 100 03:46
    Track
    5
    Title
    Trumpet Fantasy, Op. 100
    Duration
    03:46
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Angela Whelan
  6. 6 I. Prelude 02:03
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Prelude
    Duration
    02:03
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  7. 7 II. Siciliano 03:27
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Siciliano
    Duration
    03:27
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  8. 8 III. Rondo 02:07
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Rondo
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  9. 9 Horn Fantasy, Op. 88 04:18
    Track
    9
    Title
    Horn Fantasy, Op. 88
    Duration
    04:18
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Tim Thorpe
  10. 10 I. Round 02:07
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. Round
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  11. 11 II. Cavatina 02:56
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Cavatina
    Duration
    02:56
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  12. 12 III. Galop 01:35
    Track
    12
    Title
    III. Galop
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  13. 13 Trombone Fantasy, Op. 101 03:13
    Track
    13
    Title
    Trombone Fantasy, Op. 101
    Duration
    03:13
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Katy Pryce
  14. 14 I. Giubiloso 01:42
    Track
    14
    Title
    I. Giubiloso
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  15. 15 II. Allegretto 01:58
    Track
    15
    Title
    II. Allegretto
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  16. 16 III. Vivace 01:45
    Track
    16
    Title
    III. Vivace
    Duration
    01:45
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  17. 17 Tuba Fantasy, Op. 102 04:32
    Track
    17
    Title
    Tuba Fantasy, Op. 102
    Duration
    04:32
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Sam Elliott
  18. 18 I. Vivace 01:19
    Track
    18
    Title
    I. Vivace
    Duration
    01:19
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  19. 19 II. Lento 02:34
    Track
    19
    Title
    II. Lento
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  20. 20 III. Vivace 01:42
    Track
    20
    Title
    III. Vivace
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
  21. 21 I. Allegro moderato 07:45
    Track
    21
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    07:45
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Bryan Allen, Andy Culshaw, Simon Hogg, Kevin Pitt, Lyndon Meredith
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
    Conductor
    Stephen Roberts
  22. 22 II. Andante grazioso 04:59
    Track
    22
    Title
    II. Andante grazioso
    Duration
    04:59
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Bryan Allen, Andy Culshaw, Simon Hogg, Kevin Pitt, Lyndon Meredith
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
    Conductor
    Stephen Roberts
  23. 23 III. Andante con moto 05:15
    Track
    23
    Title
    III. Andante con moto
    Duration
    05:15
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Bryan Allen, Andy Culshaw, Simon Hogg, Kevin Pitt, Lyndon Meredith
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
    Conductor
    Stephen Roberts
  24. 24 IV. Allegro con brio 05:45
    Track
    24
    Title
    IV. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    05:45
    Composer
    Malcolm Arnold
    Performer
    Bryan Allen, Andy Culshaw, Simon Hogg, Kevin Pitt, Lyndon Meredith
    Ensemble
    Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
    Conductor
    Stephen Roberts