One of England’s most colourful and charismatic composers – Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) – is to be celebrated at the 19th International Malcolm Arnold Festival; an annual programme of events centred around the multi-faceted composer and his music. The composer’s hometown of Northampton will host a day of live music-making on Saturday 19 October.
SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER – LIVE MUSIC CONTINUNES ALL DAY
Continuing his successful presentations in both live and digital formats, Festival Director Paul Harris is extending the reach of Malcolm Arnold’s music to listeners everywhere, with live concerts and a Symposium hosted in the composer’s hometown, and a specially conceived live-stream day, presenting recorded performances and talks, this year with a particular focus on Arnold’s songs and choral works – a relatively little-known area of the composer’s output.
Paul Harris says: “This year we are offering three concerts within central Northampton (Malcolm’s birthplace), all in walkable distances from each other. We are delighted that Saturday’s launch concert will take place at St Peter’s Mare Fair, marking the reopening of the church as a performance space.”
Launched by composer, Matthew Taylor, listeners will be able to enjoy a programme of rousing music for brass, one of Malcolm Arnold’s most popular genres as a renowned trumpet player himself, performed by Spectacle Brass Quintet lead by Nick Budd. Following this there will be a performance of the composer’s second String Quartet performed by students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Live music continues throughout the day, transferring to All Saints’ Church George Row, just a short walk away, with music for choir and organ to include the composer’s psalms and part songs, his John Clare Cantata, and Turtle Drum; familiar to many from school days. Also featured will be Arnold’s Organ Variations: five variations by living composers and one new variation written especially by Jonathan Whiting for this year’s Festival.
Demonstrating the exuberance of Arnold’s works and some of his finest and most popular tunes, the Festival’s Gala Concert takes place at Northampton Guildhall and will be performed by the Northamptonshire County Youth Concert Band and Orchestra (NMPAT) who are regular guests at the Festival. The Festival will end with a short Symposium hosted by Matthew Taylor discussing all things Arnold.
A specially procured programme to attract listeners from around the world will live-stream on Sunday 27 October. Details on the website.
HOW TO BOOK
Tickets are £10 per concert or £25 for a day ticket, available at the door or book in advance online. Students and under 18s are admitted FREE of charge.
www.malcolmarnoldfestival.com