Malcolm Arnold Festival 2016
7th October 2016
The short, but packed, festival is based at its regular venue, the Royal & Derngate and boasts a fantastic range of ensembles. On the Saturday, following a number of chamber performances, the Northampton Symphony Orchestra present the world premiere of a companion work to Arnold’s Carnival of the Animals and perform Arnold’s A Grand Grand Overture with a guest appearance from one of the vacuum cleaners from the work’s premiere.
On the Sunday, further orchestral music is on offer as the Janus Ensemble, conducted by Ben Palmer, perform the Toy Symphony, Clarinet Concertino and Arnold’s rarely heard Piano Duet Concerto. A Gala Concert of Arnold and Walton performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by John Gibbons concludes the weekend. The programme will include Symphony No. 6 and the Concerto for Guitar & Chamber Orchestra with one of the UK’s most recorded guitarists and Classic FM favourite, Craig Ogden as the soloist.
Click here to read Festival Director, Paul Harris’s welcome letter.
Full details of the festival can be found here.
Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006)
Arnold began his career as a professional trumpeter, but by the time he was thirty he was composing full-time, being bracketed with Britten and Walton as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain. His natural melodic gift has earned him a reputation as a composer of light music in works such as the sets of English, Scottish and Welsh Dances, or the scores to the St Trinian’s films and Hobson’s Choice. However, many of his concertos and his nine symphonies are profound, affording the listener a deeper insight into a fascinating and complex musical personality.
To read Malcolm Arnold’s full biography click here.
