Sir Arnold Bax

[vandermolen]

I like the Bostock Bax Symphony 6 and 'Tintagel' - no complaints from me. I also like his CD with Malcolm Arnold Symphony No 5, not least, as someone who teaches in a girls' school, for the hilarious suite from 'St Trinians' (original film and not terrible re-make).

[cilgwyn]

The Malcolm Arnold sounds very tempting. The only one I've ever heard I must admit is the emi of Arnold conducting. I must have borrowed that from my local library quite a few times. The extroadinary mix of popular & classical idioms blew my adolescent mind! EMI should have been begging him to do more.
Glad you like rate the Bostock. That should be £4.76p well spent then.

[cilgwyn]

You can't beat a bit of Bax like!

[cilgwyn]

In my ramblings about 'Winter Legends' I forgot to mention the Dutton release of Bax's bit on the side Harriet Cohen. I think I might bung her on later!

[Sergeant Rock]

I think I might bung her on later!

I hope that isn't really as obscene as it sounds.

Sarge

[cilgwyn]

I hope it is!

[cilgwyn]

......if it's ok with the moderator.

[vandermolen]

The Malcolm Arnold sounds very tempting. The only one I've ever heard I must admit is the emi of Arnold conducting. I must have borrowed that from my local library quite a few times. The extroadinary mix of popular & classical idioms blew my adolescent mind! EMI should have been begging him to do more.
Glad you like rate the Bostock. That should be £4.76p well spent then.

My favourite Arnold CD:

[asin]B000MCIB6Q[/asin]

[Gurn Blanston]

......if it's ok with the moderator.

Bung away, laddie. We're amused at colorful colloquialisms in these parts.

[Gurn Blanston]

My favourite Arnold CD:

[asin]B000MCIB6Q[/asin]

Shouldn't that be "Bax conducts Bax"?  Or is one of us on the wrong thread, or worse yet, lost at sea?

[cilgwyn]

Bax the gatecrasher.

[eyeresist]

Arnold was renowned for his bad manners.

[vandermolen]

Shouldn't that be "Bax conducts Bax"?  Or is one of us on the wrong thread, or worse yet, lost at sea?

Well - they both have 'Arnold' in their name 

Fair enough - I should have written 'OT'

Now, back to that Sibelius discussion...

[Sergeant Rock]

I hope it is!

[cilgwyn]

You're grounded for a week young man!

[cilgwyn]

I just realised who Harriet Cohen reminds me of. Bob Hope. They've got the same nose!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Mmm... Perhaps.

[cilgwyn]

I knew I was right. I like the photo too. Hope was always a gas in drag.

[vandermolen]

I knew I was right. I like the photo too. Hope was always a gas in drag.

[cilgwyn]

The Classico cd of Bax's Sixth symphony arrived today. Contrary to some of the reviews I've read I really enjoyed this interpretation. Once you get used to the quirks in the phrasing & tempi it's an enjoyably bracing performance. And very importantly,it's different. The only disappointment is that if you like this performance you can't hear them do any more. I would have particularly like to see what they could do with the Seventh symphony which is,in my opinion the weakest of the lot,although I love the 'slow movement',(or what passes for it). The fourth is often regarded as the weakest but is actually my favourite because it's unusually out going for Bax and chock full of marvellous ideas. At any rate,a European (or even American) cycle of these underrated symphonies is way,way overdue.
'Tintagel' is apparently regarded as the best performance on the disc. It's very good,but more conventional in approach,which is probably why allot of unadventurous critics preferred it. Having said that,I would definately place it amongst the best that I've heard.
'Overture to Adventure' which I haven't heard before is not regarded as Bax at his best,but I have to say I rather enjoyed it. No 'drumming of fingers' waiting for it to end here!

NB: The booklet notes are in very nice,clear print & are livened up by some very interesting photographs,which help to mark this release out. Judging from one photo in the booklet Bax wasn't that keen on having his photo taken ("Say Cheese!). Also,this cd,from an Amazon seller at £4.97 p&p included) arrived commendably quickly & the booklet,cd & inserts are in top condition.