Symphony No. 7 (Arnold)
The Symphony No. 7, Op. 113 by Malcolm Arnold was finished in 1973. It is in three movements:
I. Allegro energico ("Katherine")
II. Andante con moto – Molto vivace – Lento ("Robert")
III. Allegro – Allegretto – Allegro – Allegretto – Allegro ("Edward")
The score was largely written at Sir William Walton's home La Mortella on Ischia. Each movement is a portrait of one of his three children, to whom the work is dedicated. The work was commissioned by the New Philharmonia Orchestra.
It was premiered by the composer on 5 May 1974 with the New Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.
As of 2016[update], the manuscript is on deposit on the library of Eton College, having been discovered by Arnold's daughter for sale on eBay.[1]
Instrumentation
The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, snare drum, tam-tam, cymbals (crash and suspended), wood block, whip, 2 cowbells, conga, bongos, 2 timbales, tubular bells, tenor drum, harp and strings.
Commercial recordings
- 1991 Vernon Handley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Conifer Records 74321-15005-2 (re-released on Decca 4765337)
- 2001 Andrew Penny and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on Naxos Records 8.552001 (recorded 21–22 February, 2000, in the presence of the composer)
- 2001 Rumon Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on Chandos Records CHAN 9967