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Malcolm Arnold - Musical Janus 作曲家艾諾—雙面體

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主持人:David Gwilt 紀大衛

Malcolm Arnold  - Musical Janus

(21 October 1921 – 23 September 2006)

 

The subtitleof the five programmes on this highly interesting British composer “Musical Janus” because in his music he seems constantly to be looking in two directions, or evoking contrary emotions.   Serious musical statements are often followed by music from the popular world, and easy-going music by ferocious outbursts.   He wrote over 500 compositions, including 132 film scores, winning an Oscar for The Bridge over the River Kwai, 9 Symphonies, 20 Concertos, 7 Ballets, 2 Operas, a great deal of chamber music as well as music for winds and brass.   Highly talented, he started his musical career as a trumpet player, becoming first trumpet in the London Symphony Orchestra at a young age.   He soon turned to composition, however.   In 1941, after a mental breakdown, he was diagnosed as a schizophrenic, and for many years he suffered extreme mood swings.   He attempted suicide several times, but always bounced back.   His music falls into three categories – Serious (by far the largest), Entertainment and Film.   He was often criticised for being “lightweight”, or not serious, and I hope that these five programmes will show how unjust this was.   To me, Arnold is one of the most outstanding British composers of the 20th century.

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