Arnold shows his funny side

BBC Philharmonic under Gamba let Malcolm Arnold's wit shine through on this fantastic collection of the British composer's overtures

Composer: Arnold
Repertoire: Overtures
Artists: BBC Philharmonic/Gamba
Rating: 4/5 
Genre: Orchestral 
Label: Chandos CHAN 10293 

Arnold is arguably Britain’s greatest living classical composer, and certainly one of the most prolific. He also has a wicked sense of humour as shown in A Grand Grand Festival Overture, which features three vacuum cleaners and a floor polisher. This splendid CD includes the famous Tam o’Shanter and Peterloo overtures, and Beckus the Dandipratt. There’s also a premiere recording of what must be one of his last pieces, Robert Kett, from 1990.