Symphony No. 5 (Arnold)

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

The Symphony No. 5, Op. 74 by Malcolm Arnold was finished in 1961. It is in four movements:

I. Tempestuoso
II. Andante con moto – Adagio
III. Con fuoco
IV. Risoluto – Lento

The work was commissioned by the Cheltenham Festival Society. The composer conducted the first performance with the Hallé Orchestra on 3 July 1961 at the Cheltenham Music Festival in Cheltenham Town Hall.

The Symphony is a remembrance of four of Arnold's friends who died too young:

• Humorist Gerard Hoffnung
• Clarinettist Frederick Thurston
• Ballet choreographer David Paltenghi
• Horn player Dennis Brain

Commercial recordings[]

• 1973 Malcolm Arnold and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on EMI Classics HMV ASD 2878 (LP) (latest re-release on EMI 382 1462)
• 1995 Richard Hickox and the London Symphony Orchestra on Chandos Records CHAN 9385
• 1996 Vernon Handley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Conifer Records 75605-51257-2 (re-released on Decca 4765337)
• 2000 Douglas Bostock and the Munich Symphony Orchestra on Classico 294
• 2001 Andrew Penny and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on Naxos Records 8.552000 (recorded January 24–25, 2000, in the presence of the composer)

References[]

• Chester-Novello page on the Symphony Contains programme notes by the composer.