This year is the fifth annual Malcolm Arnold Festival
which is a two day festival based at the Royal and Derngate
in Northampton - the town of Sir Malcolm Arnold's birth.
The theme for the 2010 Malcolm Arnold Festival is Stage and Screen.
The festival (16-17 October) will see stars from the silver screen gathering at the Royal and Derngate in Northampton.
The legendary actress Hayley Mills (Whistle Down the Wind) will be guest of honor at the festival opening and members
from the cast and crew of the original St Trinian's films will feature in a special event celebrating
the 50th anniversary of The Pure Hell of St Trinian's.
The legendary actress Hayley Mills
(Whistle Down the Wind)
will be guest of honor at the festival opening
Sir Malcolm Arnold wrote the scores for over 70 major feature films winning an Oscar and a Golden Globe (?)– in the 50s and 60s
he was one of the most sought after film composers, both here and in Hollywood.
His music for the concert hall and the stage were and still are hugely popular – there are five ballets,
one musical and a fascinating assortment of incidental music.
Malcolm Arnold conducting
The festival opens with 12 trumpeters from the award winning Northampton County Youth Orchestra playing Malcolm Arnold's
exuberant and high-spirited Hoffnung Fanfare which was written for the celebrated and riotous Hoffnung Music Festival in 1956.
1950's Malcolm the composer
The festival programme includes, on the Saturday, a talk with actress Hayley Mills
about the films she and her father, the great John Mills, made with Sir Malcolm Arnold;
the Young Musician Competition in which young performers are invited to play any solo or ensemble work by the composer;
an illustrated talk on the film music by composer Martin Ellerby, a real expert in the genre; a scintillating piano recital featuring
music from both stage and screen; the world premiere of a specially commissioned work for the occasion
and a performance of the large-scale choral and orchestral work Return of Odysseus.
The Sunday has a very special flavour beginning with some rarely seen film excerpts; this is followed by the
acclaimed Northampton County Youth Orchestra performing the St. Trinian’s Suite (as well as other memorable film music);
a unique St Trinian’s event with many of the actors and crew from the original St. Trinian’s films!; a song recital of music
from Arnold’s marvellously tuneful musical Parasol as well as the witty and colourful set of songs he wrote as
incidental music to Sean O’Casey’s play Purple Dust; in a concert of string quartet music, Northampton composer
William Alwyn also features.
The festival is rounded off with a Gala Concert: ‘A Night To Remember’ which includes music by William Alwyn
(who, like Sir Malcolm Arnold, also wrote about seventy film scores).
Alwyn’s ‘overture’ to the first major film about the Titanic will open the programme
which also features his music to the famous war film Desert Victory and some of Malcolm Arnold’s
best loved film music. The concert also includes Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Walton’s Battle of Britain Suite.
Altogether an evening of real nostalgia and excitement
“It's a great coup for the festival to have so many stars coming to
celebrate Malcolm Arnold's music for stage and screen.I am also delighted that so many young musiciansare taking part this year – Sir Malcolm Arnold would highly approve!”
Saturday 16th 11am Festival Launch by Hayley Mills. Members of the Northamptonshire Country Youth Orchestra play
11.45am An Illustrated talk by Paul Harris and Hayley Mills Whistle down the Wind, The Chalk Garden, Sky West and Crooked
2pm Malcolm Arnold Performance Competition. Judges: John Gibbons (chair), Moritz Ernst and Matthew Taylor
3:30pm Malcolm Arnold Film Music: a talk by Martin Ellerby
4:30pm Tea
5.00pm Moritz Ernst piano Programme includes Music from stage and film and the *World Première* of Matthew Taylor Fantasy on Whistle Down the Wind
8.00pm Northampton Symphony Orchestra & Abingdon Choral Society Conductor Alexander Walker. Introduced by Matthew Taylor Return of Odysseus and Sweeney Todd
Sunday 17th 11am Malcolm Arnold on film. Rarely seen film excerpts Presented by Martin Ellerby.
12noon Northamptonshire Country Youth Orchestra. Programme includes Sound Barrier; St Trinians Suite; Inn of the 6th Happiness; Scherzetto; Hobson’s Choice
2.15pm Celebrating St Trinians! Including members of the original cast and crew of the four St Trinian's films.
4.00pm The Harpham Quartet play Arnold and Alwyn. Alwyn String Quartet No 1; Arnold String Quartet No 2
5.00pm Jessica Gillingwater soprano and Edward Hughes tenor Programme includes Songs from Parasol & Purple Dust
7:30pm Gala Concert: A Night to Remember The Malcolm Arnold Festival Orchestra Conductor John Gibbons Arnold Overture from Trapeze;
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2; Arnold Bridge on the River Kwai; Boy on the Bridge (Premiere); Stolen Face, David Copperfield; Alwyn A Night to remember, Desert Victory. Many Thanks,
Paul Harris (Artistic Director, Malcolm Arnold Festival)
Challenge 125?
http://www.anightlessordinary.org.uk/ ?
