Malcolm Arnold’s second clarinet concerto was commissioned by Benny Goodman in 1974. During the late 1960s, Goodman had phoned Arnold to ask for a concerto and the composer, thinking the call was a prank, told Goodman in no uncertain terms…!

All was eventually resolved and the three-movement concerto was premiered with the Denver Symphony Orchestra in August 1974.

The first movement is typically upbeat with its lively, jaunty rhythms, whereas the slow movement is brooding and slightly menacing. The ebullient finale is described in the score as ‘The pre-Goodman Rag’ and is unashamedly irreverent.

This version for concert band by Stephen Roberts was commissioned by Victoria Samek and first performed in 2018 at London’s Regent Hall with the RAF Central Band conducted by Thomas Rodda and was streamed live on Facebook. The recording and film of this premiere performance is shortly to be released on Samek Music YouTube 

Scoring:  Solo Clarinet in Bb
Piccolo | Flutes 1 & 2 | Oboes 1 & 2 |Bassoons 1 & 2
Clarinets in Bb 1, 2 & 3 | Bass Clarinet in Bb (with low C)
Alto Saxophones 1 & 2 |Tenor Saxophone | Baritone Saxophone
Trumpets 1, 2 & 3 | Horns 1, 2, 3 & 4 | Trombones 1, 2 & 3
Euphonium | Tuba | Contrabass
Percussion 1:  (Side Drum, Sus. Cym, Bass Drum | Woodblock, Cowbell)
Percussion 2:  (Vibraphone, Xylophone)

Standard: advanced
Length: 17 minutes

CSCP030