We do not have extended passages of noise, the climaxes are natural progressions of music thought. It might be thought that the next work in this genre fails to reach the same heights, yet the Symphony no. 4, Op. 52 does not disappoint. It appeared in 1948 shortly after Arnell's return from America and was first performed by the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra under Charles Groves. It is in three movements and the timpanist is given an important role and, indeed, introduces the opening melodic line, both gently warm and beautiful, interrupted first by the timpani and then the brass.
Sinister elements appear but the melodic line, which is of considerable beauty, is never far away.
The main allegro follows, always full of interest and vitality and the cheerful ebullience inherent in so much of Arnell's work takes centre stage. It is rugged 'outdoor' music of great strength and determination. As with all his music that I know, there is a satisfying continuity, a resilience and compellingly memorable material. This could be interpreted as a victory symphony, a portrayal of triumph over the tyrant and of good over evil. The second movement is sunny and the orchestration again demonstrates that uncanny 'speaking' and 'intimate' quality.