Richard Arnell was born in London in 1917 and educated at the Hall School, Hampstead and University College School before entering the Royal College of Music where he studied composition with John Ireland and Piano with Sir John Dykes. It was here that he began his first string quartet which was first performed by the Galimer Quartet at the 52nd Street New York Public Library in 1940. In 1938 he was awarded the Farrar Prize for composition. Between 1939 and 1947 he wrote his first important compositions, including his first three symphonies, concertos for violin and for piano and three string quartets. He was taken up by eminent conductors, among them Leopold Stokowski and Sir Thomas Beecham. From 1943 to 1946 he was music consultant to the BBC’s North American Service. In 1947 he returned to England and became a composition teacher at Trinity College of Music, remaining on the staff until his retirement in 1987. He became an Honorary Fellow of the College in 1950 and a Principal Lecturer in 1981. He was appointed as music director and board member of the London International Film School from 1975 to 1988 when he retired. Arnell died in 2009.

£10.95

A contemporary work in one movement that was begun in 1939 when the composer was in his fourth and last year at the Royal College of Music. It was completed in New York, receiving its first performance on the 21st April 1940 by the Galimir Quartet in a series of concerts promoted by the New York Public Library.

£7.95

A contemporary work in one movement that was begun in 1939 when the composer was in his fourth and last year at the Royal College of Music. It was completed in New York, receiving its first performance on the 21st April 1940 by the Galimir Quartet in a series of concerts promoted by the New York Public Library.

£5.95

A contemporary work in one movement that was begun in 1939 when the composer was in his fourth and last year at the Royal College of Music. It was completed in New York, receiving its first performance on the 21st April 1940 by the Galimir Quartet in a series of concerts promoted by the New York Public Library.

£16.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this second string quartet was written in New York. The work received its first broadcast by the David Martin String Quartet on BBC Radio 3 in September 1947, and received its first performance in July 1952 at the Cheltenham Festival with the New London String Quartet. For professionals and advanced students.

£11.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this second string quartet was written in New York. The work received its first broadcast by the David Martin String Quartet on BBC Radio 3 in September 1947, and received its first performance in July 1952 at the Cheltenham Festival with the New London String Quartet. For professionals and advanced students.

£7.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this second string quartet was written in New York. The work received its first broadcast by the David Martin String Quartet on BBC Radio 3 in September 1947, and received its first performance in July 1952 at the Cheltenham Festival with the New London String Quartet. For professionals and advanced students.

£23.95

Written in New York in 1945 and premiered by the Blech String Quartet on the 30th June 1945 at the Cheltenham Festival, the heart of this quartet is its beautifully integrated slow movement. For professionals and advanced students.

£17.95

Written in New York in 1945 and premiered by the Blech String Quartet on the 30th June 1945 at the Cheltenham Festival, the heart of this quartet is its beautifully integrated slow movement. For professionals and advanced students.

£8.95

Written in New York in 1945 and premiered by the Blech String Quartet on the 30th June 1945 at the Cheltenham Festival, the heart of this quartet is its beautifully integrated slow movement. For professionals and advanced students.

£13.95

Written in London and premiered at the Cheltenham Festival by the New London String Quartet in July 1952. For professionals and advanced students.

£10.95

Written in London and premiered at the Cheltenham Festival by the New London String Quartet in July 1952. For professionals and advanced students.

£5.95

Written in London and premiered at the Cheltenham Festival by the New London String Quartet in July 1952. For professionals and advanced students.

£14.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this fifth string quartet was written in London and premiered by the New London Quartet at the Cheltenham Town Hall on the 26th April 1962. It received its first London performance in May 1983 at the Purcell Room. For professionals and advanced students.

£11.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this fifth string quartet was written in London and premiered by the New London Quartet at the Cheltenham Town Hall on the 26th April 1962. It received its first London performance in May 1983 at the Purcell Room. For professionals and advanced students.

£5.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this fifth string quartet was written in London and premiered by the New London Quartet at the Cheltenham Town Hall on the 26th April 1962. It received its first London performance in May 1983 at the Purcell Room. For professionals and advanced students.

£15.95

This sixth string quartet is in six sections, played almost without a break. Begun in 1987 the work was subsequently abandoned, then restarted in 1990 and completed in May 1992. Premiered at the Cheltenham Music Festival. For professionals and advanced students.

£11.95

This sixth string quartet is in six sections, played almost without a break. Begun in 1987 the work was subsequently abandoned, then restarted in 1990 and completed in May 1992. Premiered at the Cheltenham Music Festival. For professionals and advanced students.

£6.95

This sixth string quartet is in six sections, played almost without a break. Begun in 1987 the work was subsequently abandoned, then restarted in 1990 and completed in May 1992. Premiered at the Cheltenham Music Festival. For professionals and advanced students.

£25.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this work was premiered by the Blech String Quartet at the Cheltenham Festival in 1950, and was recorded at the Henry Wood Hall in London in January 2002 and has subsequently been released by Dutton Epoch. For colleges, conservatories, professionals and libraries.

£18.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this work was premiered by the Blech String Quartet at the Cheltenham Festival in 1950, and was recorded at the Henry Wood Hall in London in January 2002 and has subsequently been released by Dutton Epoch. For colleges, conservatories, professionals and libraries.

£9.95

Tonal, well crafted and lasting the test of time, this work was premiered by the Blech String Quartet at the Cheltenham Festival in 1950, and was recorded at the Henry Wood Hall in London in January 2002 and has subsequently been released by Dutton Epoch. For colleges, conservatories, professionals and libraries.