CD: Rodney Newton
Orchestral Music, Volume 1Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Mann
RODNEY NEWTON
Orchestral Music, Volume One
Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Paul Mann
www.toccataclassics.com
Like an honest MP, I have to register a personal interest in this recording. I have known Rodney Newton for the best part of five decades -
we worked together many times when he was a guest percussionist with my orchestra,
the Philharmonia. Shame on me for only just discovering, when this CD dropped through the letterbox, what a fine orchestral composer Rodney is, with 14 symphonies to his credit. This late, but welcome revelation says as much about Rodney’s modesty over his music, as my ignorance of it.
The choice of music is a good one; the three-movement, Symphony No.1, juxtaposed with the conventional four-movement No.4 and the Charles Ives-inspired Distant Nebulae. All three of these works are early ones - Symphony No.1, completed in 1969 and No. 4, dedicated to Robert Simpson, in 1975. The difference in style between the two symphonies is quite marked. The first movement of No.1 has much for the percussion section to do and, after a contemplative viola theme acts as a brief precursor to the more pastoral second movement, the finale is strongly rhythmic.
It was fascinating to hear the composer’s path towards finding an individual voice, with the stylistic developments revealed in Symphony No. 4. Although only six years separates the two works, the fourth symphony has a far more modernist mood, with hints of Hindemith, Ives and Revueltas too, and the intrusion of a distant dance band drummer. Throughout the whole recording, I felt sure I detected a number of operatic influences - Puccini and Strauss for example, as well as the self-confessed voices of Vaughan Williams, Arnold and Shostakovich. That said, this CD shows a composer and orchestrator with ingenuity and originality.
The Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra is a fine professional ensemble with no weaknesses
and a sense of enjoyment in the playing, a feature not always so obvious in orchestras these days. Paul Mann’s conducting delivers a persuasive musical argument and the recording is clear
in tutti, with the accomplished solo players given prominence. The CD booklet is well-presented
with informative biographies and programme notes. An excellent release featuring a wonderful composer.
PETER BASSANO
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