Full of grief and deeply communicative. I have always respected this composer and his unique voice

I had the pleasure of meeting both Sir Malcolm and Anthony at a concert back in 1991 (in a Chorley high school of all places - the Northern Chamber Orchestra's usual venue was being redecorated). I couldn't have encountered two more charming people and struck up a bit of a correspondence with them. I was also a huge fan of Arnold's music and explored plenty more after that evening. I'm an even bigger fan of Shostakovich and, as other correspondents have observed below, the Russian composer's influence grew on Arnold over the years. I was surprised and delighted to discover only weeks ago, that the two became friends and Arnold travelled to the USSR several times to meet up with his "kindred spirit." I love this stark, bold symphony, by the way.

This is an extraordinary symphony by an English composer who is unjustly neglected.

My favorite English composers and Brian Ferneyhough, Humphrey Searle and Elisabeth Lutyens. Having confessed to that, I do truly love this particular Malcolm Arnold Symphony. It is inexpressibly moving for some reason.

What a farewell-what an overwhelming gorgeous symphony-in a beautiful,thrilling and heartwarming performance (it is my personal favourite of all renditions)-the last movement was so often criticized-for me it is one of the most wonderful and stirring musical works ever composed!!!

Sublime.The best Adiós of Great Composer.

It really is hard to understand why this great work was panned after it was written. It is idiosyncratic but that is Malcolm Arnold - never dull.

Thank you for this - have known the symphony since the naxos release but this is so much more vibrant and passionate - and enhanced in my nostalgic world by the ambient hiss - a very good orchestra recorded live

The recording is preceded by a front announcement. Movements are: I - Vivace (2:37) II - Allegretto (11:33) III - Giubiloso (20:29) IV - Lento (27:43)

My favourite English composer & I only wish his work was more well known.

His last and maybe his best? A beautiful piece of music.

very nice ...thank you....

I worked briefly at Faber Music's London office when this score was delivered for copying. Donald Mitchell was scandalized at its threadbare appearance, and so shocked to see so few notes on the page, especially in the finale that he refused to publish it. It's a truly devastating portrayal of mental dissolution, very close to the knuckle.

The 9th Symphonie is a single stroke of genius.Arnold succeeds in creating a world of sound that is otherwise experienced with Mahler or Bruckner

Wonderful composition. It seems that Malcolm Arnold studied Shostakovich’s scores however he is his own voice. In my opinion the 6th is more original than this one. The duration of the movements is stated incorrectly; if added it will be over one hour however the recording is just above fifty minutes. Thank you for sharing this symphony.

I wish American orchestras would play some of Malcolm Arnold's symphonies. To watch U.S. orchestras, you would think Tchaikovsky wrote only three symphonies, Bruch and Saint-Saens just one violin concerto; Dvorak just three symphonies, and that the only English orchestral works are The Planets and Enigma Variations (and yes, I know Arnold was Scottish).

Enjoyed the whole Symphony, but that third movement is spectacular and also features nice counterpoint !! Movement IV is lyrical, dark, and reminded me a bit of Tchaikovsky's Pathetique, though Arnold's has a hopeful ending.

Is far cry from Colonel Bogey March.

WHERE THE = = = WAS THIS WORLD PREMIERE GIVEN, IT IS STUPIDLY NOT GIVEN !!!!!.