Composer

:

Malcolm Arnold

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1954

First Performance

:

Dec 11, 1954

Average_duration

:

13:11

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Malcolm Arnold's 'Organ Concerto, Op. 47' is a three-movement work for solo organ and orchestra. It was composed in 1959 and premiered on 13 October of the same year at the Royal Festival Hall in London, with the composer himself conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra and organist Simon Preston. The first movement, marked Allegro, opens with a lively and rhythmic theme in the orchestra, which is then taken up by the organ. The music is characterized by its energetic and virtuosic writing for both soloist and orchestra, with frequent changes of tempo and mood. The middle section of the movement features a more lyrical theme, which is developed by the organ in a series of variations before the opening material returns for a thrilling conclusion. The second movement, marked Lento, is a slow and contemplative piece that showcases the organ's ability to create a wide range of colors and textures. The orchestra provides a gentle accompaniment to the soloist's long, sustained lines, which are often punctuated by delicate flourishes and ornaments. The movement builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet coda. The final movement, marked Allegro vivace, is a lively and playful romp that features a catchy, syncopated theme in the orchestra. The organ responds with a series of virtuosic runs and arpeggios, as well as a number of humorous and unexpected gestures. The movement is full of surprises, with sudden shifts in tempo and mood, and ends with a triumphant flourish. Overall, Arnold's 'Organ Concerto' is a highly entertaining and engaging work that showcases the versatility and power of the organ as a solo instrument. Its three contrasting movements offer a wide range of musical styles and moods, from the energetic and rhythmic to the contemplative and lyrical, and demonstrate Arnold's skill as a composer of both orchestral and keyboard music.

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