RICHARD ARNELL (b.1917): Symphony No. 4, Op. 52, Symphony No. 5, Op. 77.

Description: All but the first and last of Arnell's symphonies are now out on Dutton with this release of the 1948 Fourth and the 1957 Fifth. The latter is apparently considered his most popular and well-known finishes with a brilliantly affirmative final movement but much of the rest of what is, except for two faster sections of the second movement, an all-slow movement work, has the same sense of war-weariness and privation which runs throughout the Fourth (although one on-line discussion finds the Fourth to be "cheerfully ebullient". Still, Arnell's symphonies deserve to be ranked among those of Rubbra, Simpson, Lloyd and Arnold and collectors are certainly going to enjoy this newest issue in the series. Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Martin Yates.