Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921 - 2006)
25th September 2006
© Fritz Curzon
Arnold was acknowledged as one of the greatest British musical figures of his generation. His output included nine symphonies, seven ballets, two operas, a musical, over twenty concertos, two string quartets, and music for brass and wind band. He was equally well known as a film composer, with 132 scores to his name, including Whistle down the Wind, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness and The Bridge on the River Kwai, for which he won an Oscar.
The news of the composer’s death was announced at the premiere of The Three Musketeers, a new ballet featuring music from some of his best known works. The performance was dedicated to his memory. Next month, a festival devoted to Arnold’s music will take place in Northampton, the town of his birth. Arnold will also be featured on Composer of the Week on BBC Radio 3 on the week beginning 16 October.
Click here to read an appreciation of Arnold's life by his biographers Tony Meredith and Paul Harris.
