The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, under the inspired conductorship of Martin Yates, make their fourth appearance on the Dutton Epoch label. The first work they perform on this release is Thomas Dunhill’s Symphony in A Minor, started in 1914 and completed in 1916. Dunhill’s music tended to be focused on the lighter orchestral repertoire and was widely played in the 1930s, and in their day his light operas were popular. His Symphony in A minor is his most substantial non-operatic work. The Yates/RSNO partnership do full justice to a magnificent work described in 1935 by composer Roger Quilter as being “so finely made & conceived & so sincere, also so cleanly scored; and without padding; a fine achievement.” Dutton Epoch’s commitment to the music of Richard Arnell continues with the RSNO’s exquisite interpretation of his 1952 composition Lord Byron: a symphonic portrait, Op.67. The poet Byron (George Gordon, sixth Baron Byron) died in 1824 at the early age of 35. Arnell’s tribute to the poet was commissioned by Beecham for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and was described by the composer as “an attempt to create, in music, the illusion of a real character…a portrait of the poet himself.” Indeed, the RSNO under Martin Yates bring this enthralling musical portrait vividly to life.

THOMAS F DUNHILL
Symphony in A minor op.48 (1914-16)WC
Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 15 May 2007

RICHARD ARNELL
Lord Byron: A Symphonic Portrait op.67 (1952)EP
Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 20 September 2006

ROYAL SCOTTISH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA
WCWilliam Chandler (Associate leader)
EPEdwin Paling (Associate leader)
Martin Yates (conductor)

"Regular readers will doubtless be aware of previous Dutton releases of music of Richard Arnell, which I have had the pleasure of welcoming to the catalogue ... principally those of his orchestral music, which have been well performed by the Royal Scottish National under Martin Yates."
"Now comes the latest issue of work ... in terms of performance and recording it is up to those earlier CDs."
Robert Matthew-Walker, International Record Review, January 2008

CDLX 7195

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