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| Composer Sir Malcolm Arnold dies | Composer Sir Malcolm Arnold dies |
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| British composer Sir Malcolm Arnold has died in hospital after a brief illness at the age of 84. | British composer Sir Malcolm Arnold has died in hospital after a brief illness at the age of 84. |
| Sir Malcolm, who won an Oscar for the musical score to the Bridge on the River Kwai film in 1958, was suffering from a chest infection. | Sir Malcolm, who won an Oscar for the musical score to the Bridge on the River Kwai film in 1958, was suffering from a chest infection. |
| He is most famous for his film scores, composing 132 including Whistle Down the Wind and Hobson's Choice. | He is most famous for his film scores, composing 132 including Whistle Down the Wind and Hobson's Choice. |
| Sir Malcolm, who lived near Norwich, also composed seven ballets, nine symphonies and two operas. | |
| Sir Malcolm, one of the most famous composers of the 20th century, leaves behind two sons and one daughter. | Sir Malcolm, one of the most famous composers of the 20th century, leaves behind two sons and one daughter. |
| He died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. | |
| Anthony Day, his companion and carer for the last 23 years, praised Sir Malcolm as "the most wonderful man". | Anthony Day, his companion and carer for the last 23 years, praised Sir Malcolm as "the most wonderful man". |
| He was a happy, lovely man who enjoyed his music and enjoyed his life Anthony Day Obituary: Sir Malcolm Arnold | He was a happy, lovely man who enjoyed his music and enjoyed his life Anthony Day Obituary: Sir Malcolm Arnold |
| "People didn't see the man that I knew because he had frontal lobe dementia over the last few years which slowly developed but, being with him, he was a happy, lovely man who enjoyed his music and enjoyed his life," he told BBC News. | "People didn't see the man that I knew because he had frontal lobe dementia over the last few years which slowly developed but, being with him, he was a happy, lovely man who enjoyed his music and enjoyed his life," he told BBC News. |
| Mr Day also paid tribute to Sir Malcolm's achievement in winning an Oscar for Bridge on the River Kwai. | Mr Day also paid tribute to Sir Malcolm's achievement in winning an Oscar for Bridge on the River Kwai. |
| "They couldn't find anybody else to do the music in time because they wanted to release it to the Oscars," Mr Day said. | "They couldn't find anybody else to do the music in time because they wanted to release it to the Oscars," Mr Day said. |
| "They gave him 10 days and he managed to write the complete score in 10 days." | "They gave him 10 days and he managed to write the complete score in 10 days." |
| Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber described Sir Malcolm as a "genius" who was never entirely appreciated. | Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber described Sir Malcolm as a "genius" who was never entirely appreciated. |
| He said: "I think he was a very, very great composer but uneven in his output. | He said: "I think he was a very, very great composer but uneven in his output. |
| "Because he had humour in his music he was never fully appreciated by the classical establishment." | "Because he had humour in his music he was never fully appreciated by the classical establishment." |
| Lord Richard Attenborough, the director and actor, said Sir Malcolm was a "totally outstanding composer". | Lord Richard Attenborough, the director and actor, said Sir Malcolm was a "totally outstanding composer". |
| Sir Malcolm's music continues to be performed and recorded extensively by leading orchestras both nationally and internationally. | Sir Malcolm's music continues to be performed and recorded extensively by leading orchestras both nationally and internationally. |
| He was awarded the CBE in 1970. | He was awarded the CBE in 1970. |
| Saturday night was the premier of his version of the Three Musketeers at the Alhambra in Bradford. | Saturday night was the premier of his version of the Three Musketeers at the Alhambra in Bradford. |
| The performance, which was dedicated to him, went ahead as planned. | The performance, which was dedicated to him, went ahead as planned. |
| Your tributes: | |
| An extremely fine craftsman of music who suffered unjustified neglect during this life. Time will tell whether it is Arnold's music or that of his Serialist detractors that continues to be played and enjoyed by the public. A crime that he wasn't celebrated and better commissioned - the BBC and Arts Council should hang their heads in shame.Matthew Woolhouse, Cambridge | |
| One of the last true links with what most people think of as 'Englishness' in music is gone. And with him a great artist, much misunderstood and maligned by the progressive musical establishments of the day during his lifetime. I think of him as the John Betjeman of British music, a people's composer, one with total integrity, originality and professionalism, and to those who take the trouble of exploring his music more deeply will be revealed unmistakeable genius.Adrian Williams, Hereford, England | |
| Now at last he will get the recognition from the serious music community he certainly deserved.Daniel Robinson, London | |
| I am a member of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, of whom Sir Malcolm Arnold is the patron. We performed a concert entirely comprising the works of Arnold earlier this year to celebrate his 85th birthday. We are also to perform Peterloo overture and A Grand Grand Festival Overture amongst other pieces at a charity concert at Symphony Hall this coming Wednesday 27th September. Personally I love playing Arnold's music and feel that his passing will be greatly felt in our orchestra.Jo Stubbs, Birmingham, West Midlands | |
| Though we mourn the very sad loss of Sir Malcolm today we must celebrate, the unique and wonderful legacy of his music left to us. Sir Malcolm touched everyone who listened to his music, as he wrote in a very personal yet public manner. Never, ever frightened of writing a 'good tune', his music was full of his humanity, warmth and most importantly fun. We should be all very thankful that Sir Malcolm was given to us and we must all celebrate his birthday this year as he would have wanted with lots of concerts of his wonderful music. God bless Sir Malcolm and many, many thanks to Anthony Day for his untiring help and support to Sir Malcolm in his last years.Lawrie Dunn, Burnham on Sea, Somerset | |
| A true gent of music who has left a great legacy. From wonderful film music to the inspired Guitar Concerto he will be sadly missed but forever remembered.John Elliott, York, Uk | |
| Sir Malcolm Arnold was president of Rochdale Youth Orchestra, and until they left to go to university, my two youngest daughters played in it for several years. I was always impressed that Sir Malcolm took on the patronage of what would seem to many to be an insignificant, small town orchestra. He attended many concerts in spite of age and failing health, and that never failed to impress me, that a world renowned musician and composer would take the trouble to do that. I think that he was an innovative and interesting composer, and I am sorry to hear of his passing. Sonia Wilson, Rochdale, England | |
| One of my fondest memories of the Proms was of Malcolm Arnold conducting Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. He was almost bent double coaxing the most out of the orchestra - no mean feat for a man of his physique - and clearly having a wonderful time himself. As, indeed, were we Prommers!David Brooks, Redmond, WA, 98053 | |
| I was fortunate enough to meet Malcolm Arnold a number of years' ago when the BBC Philharmonic were performing some of his works. I remember his almost equal pride over his extremely "loud" ties and the fact that few critics had noticed that a movement in his (I think) sixth symphony had been composed in strict serialist mode. A warm, witty and funny man who leaves an astonishing and under-rated body of work. Though his film scores were wonderful, we should not forget the quality of his concert music.Steve Rouse, Manchester, England | |
| I am a supporter/staff member of Rochdale Youth Orchestra, of which Sir Malcolm was the president. We are sorry to hear of his passing.Sian, Rochdale, Lancs | |
| I am a clarinettist who has played some of Malcolm Arnold's work ... which is some of the most challenging and yet most rewarding I have worked on. He was a great composer and knew my instrument well.Eleanor Smith, Edinburgh | |
| I don't know of anyone who cannot whistle the theme to Bridge Over the River Kwai. What an achievement to do the whole score in 10 days! A truly amazing man.Helen Kohn, Mountain View, California, United States | |
| Sir Malcolm Arnold was known to most for his film scores and light music but he also composed nine symphonies. Send us your tributes using the form below. | Sir Malcolm Arnold was known to most for his film scores and light music but he also composed nine symphonies. Send us your tributes using the form below. |