Arnold Cooke (1906-2005) began playing piano at age seven and composing at age eight, with his first major score being a piano sonata at age fourteen.
Composer Biography
Arnold Cooke studied with Paul Hindemith, a German composer, at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik from 1929-1932, which gave him a secure compositional technique.
Composition History
Arnold Cooke's ballet, 'Jabez and the Devil', was commissioned by the Royal Ballet and premiered at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1961.
Critical Reception
A critic observed that Arnold Cooke, as a symphonist, was a 'pure craftsman in a society that no longer has a place for pure craftsmanship', suggesting he was out of step with the avant-garde.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Arnold Cooke's elegant chamber works illustrate his adherence to Paul Hindemith's concept of 'Gebrauchsmusik' (music for use), aimed at gifted amateurs rather than virtuosos.
Recording & Production
The Fourth Symphony on this album was recorded live from its first performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra on January 15, 1975, at the Royal Festival Hall.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Arnold Cooke's music is based on traditional procedures and principles, and he deliberately abstained from stylistic trends like serialism, aleatoricism, minimalism, and electronic music.
