Northampton prepares to celebrate the 20th Malcolm Arnold Festival, 18-19 October, with special tribute to town’s famous son

Directed by Paul Harris, the Malcolm Arnold Festival is an annual programme of events celebrating one of England’s most popular composers; Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006), who was also born in Northampton. Arnold's best-known works include his symphonic showpieces and internationally famous film score classics such as ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’, ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ and ‘The Belles of St. Trinian’s’.

Presenting the composer's works in an accessible and enriching format, the Malcom Arnold Festival provides a platform for both professional and student musicians to perform the composer’s works, this year showcasing all 20 of the composer’s Concertos which feature a solo instrument, in celebration of the 20th Festival.

Characteristic of the composer’s versatility, the Concertos demonstrate all the hallmarks of Malcolm Arnold’s inventiveness in smaller scale. The earliest were written for friends and colleagues, which lead to commissions from world-renown soloists such as Denis Brain (horn), Julian Bream (guitar), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Michala Petri (recorder), and Julian Lloyd Webber (cello). Those such as the Flute Concerto no.2, and the Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra, are considered masterpieces of the genre.

A WEEKEND OF LIVE MUSIC AT CRIPPS HALL AND ST MATTHEW'S CHURCH

“We’re delighted to be holding the Festival at the very prestigious Cripps Hall which is part of Northampton School for Boys – the very school the young Malcolm Arnold attended!”, says Festival Director, Paul Harris. “For Saturday’s evening concert we transfer to St Matthew’s Church which will provide the opportunity to hear Malcolm’s Organ Concerto together with a rare performance of the ‘Grand Concerto Gastronomique’ for Waiter, Eater and Food; a suite of six short orchestral pieces, in characteristic Arnold style, and calling for a wordless soprano in tribute to Nellie Melba, the famous Australian soprano!"

ACCLAIMED REGIONAL ORCHESTRAS AND YOUTH ENSEMBLES

Taking part this year are the LGT Orchestra – an award-winning string ensemble featuring talented young soloists from over 20 nations; Equilibrium Symphony Orchestra – who’s young musicians already have professional solo experience, as well as regional orchestras and youth ensembles that include Bedford Sinfonia, Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of London Choral Sinfonia.

GALA CONCERT, GUEST SOLOISTS AND A WORLD PREMIERE

Saturday evening’s Gala Concert provides the opportunity to hear Malcolm Arnold's Concertos for Trumpet, Harmonica, and Organ, with soloists Nick Budd, Shima Kobayashi and Thomas Moore, while pianist John Lenehan will perform a World Premiere of his own one piano arrangement of the Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra. The Festival programme includes the beautiful 'Andante Festivo' for strings by one of Malcolm Arnold's major influences, Jean Sibelius, as well as complementary works by fellow composers William Walton, Ruth Gipps, and Malcolm Williamson.

The Festival will be welcoming a host of guest soloists and talented young artists including: Joshua Milton and Nico Varela, (piano); Poppy Beddoe and Christian Hoddinott, (clarinet); Emmanuel Webb and Elif Ece Cansever, (violin); Hugh Millington and Gonçalo Maia Caetano, (guitar); Michala Petri, (recorder); Maria Filippova and Daisy Noton, (flute); Sarah-Jane Bradley, (viola); Daniel Fergie, (oboe); Junyu Zhou, (saxophone), and Ben Goldsheider and Finnian Smith, (horn). Conductors include Hilary Davan Wetton, Mattea Leow, Ian Smith, Jonathan Burnett and Ben Copeman.

INFORMATION AND HOW TO BOOK

Concerts take place throughout 18-19 October at Northampton School for Boys, transferring to St Matthew's Church for Saturday evening's Gala Concert. Information can be found on the website from where tickets can also be purchased: Day Ticket priced at £15. Weekend Ticket priced at £25. Gala Concert priced at £10. Admittance for under 18s and Students is FREE. www.malcolmarnoldfestival.com