Arnell: Complete Music for Violin & Piano

Featuring

Patrick Wastnage
Elizabeth Dunn
Richard Arnell
Stanley Bate

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Historical Context

Richard Arnell and Stanley Bate, two young British composers, found their early careers prospering in the USA after the outbreak of World War II prevented their easy return to Britain.

Interpretation

Performers Patrick Wastnage (violin) and Elizabeth Dunn (piano) developed an interest in the chamber music of Richard Arnell and Stanley Bate after meeting Arnell at a music-society concert.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Richard Arnell, one of the composers featured, was constantly preoccupied by the symphony and enjoyed thinking architecturally, believing music's sound is intimately connected to space and its shape.

Composer Biography

Stanley Bate, the other composer on this album, studied composition with Vaughan Williams and Gordon Jacob at the Royal College of Music, and later with Hindemith and Nadia Boulanger.

Critical Reception

Stanley Bate's lyrical, largely tonal style received a warm public reception but did not gain favor with the BBC or avant-garde circles, contributing to his fading reputation.

Composer Biography

Richard Arnell, one of the composers on this album, was employed by the BBC North American service and became part of the Greenwich Village scene in New York.

Composer Biography

Bernard Herrmann, the film composer and musical director of the Columbia Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), became Richard Arnell's most influential American acquaintance, opening many doors for him.