Malcolm ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Roots of Heaven [34:02]
David Copperfield [28:04]
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/William Stromberg
rec. Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, 4–7 April 2000
NAXOS FILM MUSIC CLASSICS 8.573366 [62:09]
A legend in British concert halls, Sir Malcolm Arnold was
also in demand as a composer of film music in Hollywood and beyond. Including
an overture for the New York première, the music written for The Roots
of Heaven adds drama and atmosphere to a classic tale about African wildlife.
The score for David Copperfield was one of his most expressive and
memorable, summed up as 'truly amazing' by director Delbert
Mann. This disc of Arnold’s music was brought to life by using reconstructed
scores produced by John Morgan. It was first issued by Marco Polo (8.225167)
as part of the label’s series of film score recordings (review
review).
The Roots of Heaven (1958) tells the story of one man’s efforts
to prevent the African elephant becoming extinct. I personally find the 34
minutes included here really frustrating and irritating. This is nothing to
do with Arnold’s music or Morgan’s reconstruction. The problem
is that we have twenty tracks in the selection with the majority running for
less than two minutes each. It’s just not musically satisfying. In essence
we are given some rather good ideas that fizzle out and go nowhere. As an
accompaniment to a film that’s OK but without the visual images to support
the music it doesn’t work. The opening overture is the one exception.
As soon as it starts you know that it is by Malcolm Arnold. Nobody else could
have written that cheeky, quirky opening theme. This is typical of the composer
as is the sweeping string tune that follows. The orchestration is classic
Arnold. Having never seen the film it is still blatantly obvious that the
setting is Africa. The sound of African drums is never far away and there
is a tangible sense of open spaces throughout the score. His depiction of
the elephants is charming – heavy and grandiose with a contra-bassoon
thrown in to add a subtle comedy element. There are also passages that use
the style of swing and jazz (clarinet especially) and moments of drama and
dissonance during the hunting sequences. It’s such a shame that none
of these fleeting, memorable ideas ever gets developed and put to good use
in a true symphonic style.
David Copperfield (1969) was Malcolm Arnold’s last film score,
used in the TV adaptation directed by Delbert Mann. The music is in a traditional
romantic vein with fabulous scoring and sweeping melodies. Return to Yarmouth
is a wonderful tune and Visit to Aunt Betsy isn’t far behind.
Mr. Micawber shows us the humorous side of the composer. The syncopated
clarinet solo is superb and is rather reminiscent of the Clarinet Concerto
that Arnold composed for Benny Goodman. Alas, as in The Roots of Heaven,
the fragments don’t flow as a satisfying whole.
This disc is probably for film buffs and Malcolm Arnold fanatics. Hats off
to John Morgan and conductor William Stromberg. They have plugged a gap in
the Arnold discography and many will be grateful for their efforts. The playing
of the Moscow Orchestra is committed and enthusiastic. The sound has a limited
dynamic range and the engineers can’t resist the occasional spotlighting
of soloists but overall the recording is easy on the ear and the music is
well served. I love the music of Malcolm Arnold but discs such as this with
their tantalising snippets aren’t really for me.
John Whitmore
Previous review: John
France
|
Support us financially by purchasing
this from
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|