SIR MALCOLM ARNOLD C.B.E. (born 1921)               

'a technically formidable orchestrator and a master of instrumental range and colour..' 

(David Mellor, THE SPECTATOR, 7.12.91)

'Performer-friendly' and 'listener-friendly' are current terms which could be applied to the early works of Malcolm Arnold, who is actually Britain's most performed living composer.  But, although strength of communication is absolutely prime in this composer's mind, these terms must belie the true character of this music, which reaches beyond simplistic methods and moods.  Clear-textured with catchy tunes and often boldly repetitive, nonetheless there is high sophistication displayed by the use of bitonal passages, tone-rows, complex motivic manipulation, shock tactics in harmony or in changes of mood and texture, and the daring mix of popular and rarified, all within a carefully plotted structure.  Often surprising, always compelling and memorable, the music of this genius well deserves the world respect it commands.

Born in Northampton in 1921, Malcolm Arnold first excelled as a performer - principal trumpet of the London Philharmonic Orchestra - before winning the Mendelssohn Scholarship in 1948 which helped to establish his reputation as a fluent and versatile composer and a brilliant orchestrator.  Since then he has written music of every type and for every sort of ensemble, including over 80 film scores, and has been awarded Honorary Doctorate of Music from several universities, a CBE, the Ivor Novello Award for 'Outstanding Services to British Music' in 1986 and Wavendon Allmusic Composer of the Year in 1987.

It was Bernard de Nevers, owner of Lengnick's in the 50's, who asked Malcolm Arnold to write the famous ENGLISH DANCES.  These and the other pieces in this hire library have immense appeal and shall all prove to be classical 'best sellers'. 

SOME WORKS

Chamber      String quartet, violin/viola sonatas, flute/oboe/clarinet sonatinas

Orchestral

English Dances, Serenade for Small Orchestra, Concerto No. 1 for Clarinet & Strings, Concerto for Piano Duet & Strings, Concerto No. 1 for Horn and Orchestra, Overtures,

Symphony No. 1, Symphony for Strings 

NEW FROM LENGNICK'S

Concertino for Flute & Strings arr. Ellis (from Flute Sonatina)
Concertino for Clarinet & Strings arr. Steptoe (from Clarinet Sonatina)
Concertino for Oboe and Strings arr. Steptoe (from Oboe Sonatina)
Variations on a Ukrainian Folk-Song arr. for strings by Steptoe