‘Partnerships’ is the theme of this year’s Malcolm Arnold Festival, 12th - 13th October 2019; an annual weekend packed with live music, films and talks on this multi-faceted composer and his music. Featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra as well as talented performers from around the region and family-friendly concerts suitable for all ages, the Festival takes place in the composer’s birthplace, Northampton, in and around the town’s dedicated arts’ venue, Royal & Derngate.
Introducing this year’s theme of partnerships, Festival Director Paul Harris said, “We have highlighted some fascinating and fruitful friendships, including those of fellow-composers, Ruth Gipps and Shostakovich. As always, we’ve tried to include music from many of the different genres represented in the composer’s extensive output. There is a plethora of orchestral music; we’re delighted to be welcoming five different orchestras to perform overtures, symphonies, film scores, dances and ballets and there is music for chamber ensemble, duos, solo instruments and voice.”
This year’s Gala Concert, on Sunday 13th October, features the BBC Concert Orchestra under their Conductor Laureate, Barry Wordsworth, in what has become one of the most anticipated Derngate fixtures of the year. Showcasing two masterworks by Arnold both from the coronation year,1953; Homage to the Queen; a suite from his ballet, and the contrasting yet characteristic Symphony No 2, alongside major works by Shostakovich; his Age of Gold suite and ever-popular Piano Concerto No 2 with soloist, Rose McLachlan.