Tam O'Shanter Overture

The Tam o' Shanter Overture, Op. 51 by Malcolm Arnold was completed in March 1955.

The overture is a piece of programme music based on the famous poem by Robert Burns.

The work was first performed at the BBC Proms on 17 August 1955, with the composer conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is dedicated to John Michael Diack, director of Arnold's then publishing company Paterson Sons & Co..

Selected commercial recordings

• 1955 Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor John Hollingsworth, Philips NBL5021
• 1957 New Symphony Orchestra of London, conductor Alexander Gibson, RCA Victor LSC-2225
• 1958 (USA issue date) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor John Hollingsworth, Epic LC 3422
• 1981 Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conductor Alexander Gibson, Chandos CHAN 8379
• 1993 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Vernon Handley
• 1998 Minnesota Orchestra, conductor Eiji Oue, Reference Recordings RR-82CD
• 2005 BBC Philharmonic, conductor Rumon Gamba, Chandos CHAN 1029

References

• Chester Novello's page on the work