Wow. My post about Klaus Tennstedt Saturday for his centenary put me up over 800 followers. I can’t even keep up with responses to the comments. Thanks, everybody! I always try to post good or interesting material, but you know, if a tree falls in the woods, etc.

To keep it musical, as today’s 800-pound gorilla, I’d like to share the Symphony No. 5 by Richard Arnell, which the composer subtitled the “Gorilla” – a humorous analogy between the work and a gorilla he visited at the London Zoo. It has a great tune in the last movement, derived from the music hall, that Arnell’s father used to sing and whistle.

It’s a live performance by the Arizona-based MusicaNova Orchestra, which has done so much to champion Arnell’s music over the years (and neglected repertoire in general).

You can learn more about them here:

https://www.musicanovaaz.org/

Then join me in celebrating 800 followers with Arnell’s “Gorilla” Symphony.

On to 900!