Malcolm Arnold

Water Music

Commissioned by the National Trust for the opening of the Stratford Canal in 1964. The Allegro Maestoso opens with a brass fanfare which introduces the interval of a minor seventh from which much of the melodic material springs. The second movement, Andantino, has a tune played five times, each a minor third higher so that the final statement is in the key of the beginning. The Vivace finale has exciting brass tunes and virtuoso woodwind writing to bring the piece to a rousing conclusion. Duration: 10 mins.