Symphony No. 8 (Arnold)
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The Symphony No. 8, Op. 124 by Malcolm Arnold was finished in November 1978.
Background
The work was commissioned by the Rustam K. Kermani Foundation and given its first performance in on 5 May 1979, with the Albany Symphony Orchestra conducted by Julius Hegyi in Troy, New York. It is the only Arnold symphony to have its premiere outside the United Kingdom.
The work was written after Arnold lived in Ireland and prominently features an Irish march. The march originated from the film "The Reckoning" scored by Arnold in 1969.
Structure
It is in three movements:
- Allegro
- Andantino
- Vivace
Instrumentation
The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, cymbals, bass drum, snare drum, tam-tam, glockenspiel, vibraphone, 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
