British Proms Premieres 1971 Malcoln Arnold Symphony No.6, op.95

This is the second of a series of posts considering some British Proms Premieres given 50 years ago, during 1971. These may World Premieres or works heard at the Proms for the first time. They date from a performance of Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen to several pieces commissioned by the BBC for that year’s event. 

Malcolm Arnold’s Symphony No.6, op. 95 has remained in the repertoire for more than 50 years. It makes an occasional concert hall appearance and has generated four commercial recordings. The Symphony is dedicated to the American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Charlie Parker (1920-55). That said, despite a few jazz episodes, this is not a ‘jazz symphony.’

The overall tone of the work is dark, sometimes violent and typically disturbing. Only occasionally does a lighter touch emerge. The symphony is in three movements: Energico, Lento and Con Fuoco. The elegiac Lento has been described as Arnold’s version of Berlioz’s March to the Scaffold, albeit painted “in 1960s Psychedelic Colours.” The finale tries to move the mood away from despair and angst, but just does not quite make it. The Symphony was completed whilst Arnold was living at St Merryn in Cornwall. It had first been heard in the Sheffield City Hall on 28 June 1968.

The Proms premiere was given at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 September 1971. This Tuesday night concert included Mozart’s Symphony No.38 in D major, “Prague”, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor and the Prom Premiere of J.S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in E flat major, BWV 552. The piano soloist was Stephen Kovacevich, the organist was Stephen Hick and the BBC Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Colin Davis and Malcolm Arnold.

Edward Greenfield (The Guardian, 15 September 1971, p.8) wrote:

“A new airing for [Arnold’s] Sixth Symphony – the latest of the cycle completed four years ago – was timely at a Prom, particularly in a rousing performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the composer. This is described as a symphonic tribute to jazz, but happily Arnold has no sloppy ideas about mixing his media. In his tributes to Charlie Parker and others, he may work in the old device of ostinato rather too heavily, providing harmonic and tonal echoes of lighter gernes, but this is still uncompromisingly an Arnold work, as individual as any symphony he has written.

The first and the most successful of the three movements provides a surprisingly effective alternative to conventional symphonic argument in its toccata like progress. It is tough and well-shaped. The slow movement – attributed to an unnamed pop star – is tough too, for Arnold resists the temptation of languishing on one of the semi-pop melodies he is so skilled at writing. Though the finale has some fine extrovert ideas for brass including obvious echoes of Bartok’s Concerto for orchestra, they are not tailored as neatly as they might be. But how welcome it is too find a composer these days with sufficient physique in every way to sport a symphonic cloak so confidently.”

Currently, there are four recordings of the Symphony No.6 in the catalogue. The earliest was issued by Conifer Classics (74321-16847-2) in 1993. Vernon Handley conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Other works on this CD included the Fantasy on a Theme of John Field, the Sweeney Todd Suite and the Tam O’Shanter Overture. Next up, was Chandos (CHAN 9335) released in 1995. Here, the London Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Richard Hickox. This was followed by Andrew Penny and the National Orchestra of Ireland on Naxos (8.552000). Finally, a live recording of An Arnold Concert held at the Royal Festival Hall on 24 September 2004. Vernon Handley conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra. (LPO-0013). This remarkable event also featured Philharmonic Concerto, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness: Film Suite, Beckus the Dandipratt Overture and Flourish for a 21st Birthday.

A broadcast performance of Malcolm Arnold’s Symphony No.6 has been uploaded to YouTube. Malcolm Bryden Thomson conducts the then BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. It was aired on 21 August 1981.