First performed in 1961 by the Halle Orchestra with Arnold conducting, Symphony No. 5 was commissioned by the Cheltenham Festival Society. It has been noted that the composer meant it to be tribute to a number of friends who had died, thus the almost tragic sentiment expressed throughout. For the thematic material in the first movement, "Tempestoso," Arnold dabbled with a tone row of eight notes. These are used, however, in a tonal context. The principal theme of the second movement Andante con moto-Adagio, is quite Mahlerian with beautifully spun out lyricism. Con fuoco, the final movement has the sardonically militaristic mood of Shostakovich with brass fanfares and relentless timpani. A jolting, almost cinematically conceived restatement of the second-movement "Mahler" theme returns with a bang before the piece all but disintegrates into a tragic whimper. This is a powerfully emotional work that deserves much more attention.

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