Personalities | Malcolm Arnold | Modern Era | Classical

1921–2006
English composer

Arnold began his career as an orchestral trumpet player, but soon attracted attention with music that combined tunefulness, orchestral brilliance and engaging humour (the comedy overture Beckus the Dandipratt and two sets of English Dances). His symphonies and concertos combine these qualities with deeper emotions; they have attracted a smaller, but admiring, audience. Among his most characteristic – and most popular – works is his guitar concerto, memorably melodious and with a bittersweet elegy for the jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt (1910–53) at its centre. He is also known for his film music.

Recommended Recording:
Cornish, English and Scottish Dances, London PO (cond) Sir Malcolm Arnold (Lyrita)

Introduction | Modern Era | Classical
Personalities | Milton Babbitt | Modern Era | Classical

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