Raphael D. Thoene: Malcolm Arnold - a composer of real music: symphonic writing, style and aesthetics [Book review]

Abstract

Malcolm Arnold is one of a number of mid to late 20th century composers who have been reassessed and rehabilitated in the 'pantheon' of important composers following the demise of a modernist aesthetic in musicology. Thone's book reflects Arnold's growing status but is marked by poor editing and inelegant prose. The book traces Arnold's musical technique and compositional rigour and argues that it is as worthy of detailed musical analysis as are 'more highly esteemed' modernist works. The review includes my own assessment of Arnold's ouvre.