Symphony No. 6 (Arnold)

LPO recording of Malcolm Arnold's Symphony No. 6

The Symphony No. 6, Op. 95 by Malcolm Arnold was written in 1967, and finished in July of that year. It is in three movements:

• Energico
• Lento - Allegretto
• Con fuoco

It is scored for three flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, one tuba, timpani, three percussionists, playing snare drum, bass drum, tenor drum, tambourine, cymbals (both crash and suspended), tam-tam, tubular bells, harp and strings. It was premiered by the composer conducting the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra in Sheffield in June 1968.

The symphony had its London premiere on 24 September 1969 at the Royal Albert Hall. The same concert saw the premiere of Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra. Both works were performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold. They were joined for the Concerto by Deep Purple where Jon Lord was a member.

Commercial recordings

• 1993 Vernon Handley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Conifer Records 74321-16847-2 (re-released on Decca 4765337) (First studio recording)
• 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)
• 2002 Malcolm Arnold and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on EMI DVD-A and SACD only (live recording from 1969, paired with the Jon Lord/Deep Purple Concerto) (Recorded by the composer)

References

• Symphony No. 6 from Malcolm Arnold's Official Site
• Malcolm Arnold at 80
• Faber Music page on the Symphony Contains programme notes by the composer.