Arnold's set, or suite, consists of four dances inspired by, although not based on, Scottish country folk tunes and dances. Although the individual dances are not titled, each is denoted by a separate tempo or style marking.
The composer's notations in the score,[1] including his metronome indications (M.M.), are:
I. Pesante (♩ = 104)
II. Vivace (♩ = 160)
III. Allegretto (♩ = 96)
IV. Con brio (♩ = 144)
While Arnold did not title the four pieces individually, his music publisher (Novello & Co) has provided notes,[2] which are often employed by annotators for orchestral and concert programs. The first dance, Novello observes, is "in the style of a strathspey"; the second, a "lively reel." The song-like and graceful third dance evokes "a calm summer's day in the Hebrides"; while the last is "a lively fling."[3]
The dances are collectively intended to evoke Scotland, and utilize timbres intended to imitate bagpipes, as well as musical devices such as reel and Scotch snap rhythms. The composer also employs comic elements, such as a "tipsy" middle section in the second dance, in which the ensemble abruptly slows from a lively vivace to meno mosso (quarter note = 112), whereupon a single bassoon plays a plodding solo marked by upward and downward slides, or glissandi, as well as staggering, syncopated rhythms. (Beethoven employs a solo bassoon for somewhat similar comic effect in the rustic third-movement scherzo — "Merry Gathering of Country Folk" — of his Pastoral Symphony.)
^Arnold, Malcolm. Four Scottish Dances.Scores on Demand, Novello & Co. Limited. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
^Music Sales Classical (n.d.). Programme Note: Malcolm Arnold Four Scottish Dances (for orchestra) (1957). Retrieved October 22, 2015.
^Foothill Symphonic Winds (n.d.). Music Program Notes: Malcolm Arnold. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
^"Malcolm Arnold: Four Scottish Dances - British 20th century composers - AQA - GCSE Music Revision - AQA".
External links
HM Records catalogue
Four Scottish Dances, London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Arnold, 1959 on YouTube
May 19, 2023
four, scottish, dances, orchestral, light, music, pieces, composed, malcolm, arnold, 1957, light, music, festival, contents, dances, instrumentation, arrangements, selected, commercial, recordings, john, paynter, wind, band, arrangement, also, references, exte. Four Scottish Dances Op 59 is an orchestral set of light music pieces composed by Malcolm Arnold in 1957 for the BBC Light Music Festival Contents 1 The dances 2 Instrumentation 4 3 Arrangements 4 Selected commercial recordings 4 1 Of John Paynter s wind band arrangement 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksThe dances EditArnold s set or suite consists of four dances inspired by although not based on Scottish country folk tunes and dances Although the individual dances are not titled each is denoted by a separate tempo or style marking The composer s notations in the score 1 including his metronome indications M M are I Pesante 104 II Vivace 160 III Allegretto 96 IV Con brio 144 While Arnold did not title the four pieces individually his music publisher Novello amp Co has provided notes 2 which are often employed by annotators for orchestral and concert programs The first dance Novello observes is in the style of a strathspey the second a lively reel The song like and graceful third dance evokes a calm summer s day in the Hebrides while the last is a lively fling 3 The dances are collectively intended to evoke Scotland and utilize timbres intended to imitate bagpipes as well as musical devices such as reel and Scotch snap rhythms The composer also employs comic elements such as a tipsy middle section in the second dance in which the ensemble abruptly slows from a lively vivace to meno mosso quarter note 112 whereupon a single bassoon plays a plodding solo marked by upward and downward slides or glissandi as well as staggering syncopated rhythms Beethoven employs a solo bassoon for somewhat similar comic effect in the rustic third movement scherzo Merry Gathering of Country Folk of his Pastoral Symphony The first performance was given at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 June 1957 with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by the composer Instrumentation 4 EditStrings Strings Harp Woodwinds One piccolo One flute Two clarinets in B Two bassoons Brass Four horns in F Two trumpets in B Three trombones Percussion Timpani Cymbals Side drum Bass drum Woodblock Tam tamArrangements Editfor wind band by John Paynter 1978 for brass band by Ray Farr 1984 for wind quintet by Hugh Levey 2022 www woodwindly com for piano by John York for piano amp violin by David GedgeSelected commercial recordings Edit1959 Malcolm Arnold conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra on Everest Records SDBR 3021 re released on Everest 9006 1979 Malcolm Arnold conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra on Lyrita LP and CD SRCD 201 1996 Andrew Penny conducting the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on Naxos Records 8 553526 Sir Malcolm Arnold Dances Of John Paynter s wind band arrangement Edit 1995 Jerry Junkin conducting the Dallas Wind Symphony on Reference Recordings RR 66CD Arnold for Band See also EditDirk dance English Dances List of Scottish country dances Scottish country dance Scottish highland dance Scottish sword dancesReferences Edit Arnold Malcolm Four Scottish Dances Scores on Demand Novello amp Co Limited Retrieved October 22 2015 Music Sales Classical n d Programme Note Malcolm Arnold Four Scottish Dances for orchestra 1957 Retrieved October 22 2015 Foothill Symphonic Winds n d Music Program Notes Malcolm Arnold Retrieved October 22 2015 Malcolm Arnold Four Scottish Dances British 20th century composers AQA GCSE Music Revision AQA External links EditMalcolm Arnold homepage HM Records catalogue Four Scottish Dances London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Arnold 1959 on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Four Scottish Dances amp oldid 1146737916, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
