Four Scottish Dances - CFJ711 | Musica

Malcolm Arnold has composed a number of “national dances”. The Four Scottish Dances, composed in 1957, are original works that employ traits and timbres derived from Scottish folkmusic. The opening movement (Pesante) is in the style of a strathspey, a slow Scottish dance from the strath valley of Spey, with a hint of bagpipes and their drones. A lively reel starts off the second movement (Vivace). The bassoon’s melody brings visions of the town drunk, who is whisked away with the return of the reel. In the third movement (Allegretto), Arnold provides “an impression of the sea and mountain scenery on a calm summer’s day in the Hebrides.” The last movement (Con brio) is a lively fling filled with a sense of abandonment.