As many independent labels have demonstrated to the delight of music lovers everywhere, there are innumerable fine “second tier” or provincial orchestras that on any given day can turn out first class results. So far, Classico largely has managed to avoid finding them. From the merely adequate brass and murky heavy percussion to the appalling tone of the organ used in the Organ Concerto (it sounds like a steam calliope at a fairground from hell), there’s nothing here that rises above the second-rate. This is a pity, because the music is vintage Arnold, and I can’t imagine that anyone who enjoys his work wouldn’t want to hear this disc. Just be forwarned: it’s not as good as it should have been.
The most interesting piece here is the ballet Rinaldo and Armida, 22 minutes of continuous music that demonstrates just why Arnold became such a successful writer of film scores. The Little Suite displays the composer’s mastery of “light music”, as does the ballet suite Homage to the Queen. As noted above, the Organ Concerto sounds atrocious as a result of that excruciating solo instrument, but it otherwise would make a welcome addition to a generally ill-served medium. Douglas Bostock conducts lively interpretations of music that basically plays itself, and the sound quality has an edginess that adds to the overall impression of amateurishness. Just okay.
