Malcolm Arnold

Little Suite No. 1

Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921) put an end to his career as leading trumpeter with several famous London symphony orchestras to become a full-time composer. He became world famous with his soundtrack music for 'The Bridge over the River Kwai', but he composed a lot of orchestral, vocal, ballet and chamber music. He wrote several works for wind band and for brass band, such as three 'Little Suites for Brassband'. The 'Little Suite Number 1' Opus 53 for orchestra (followed by the Second Opus 78) consists of a 'Prelude' (Maestoso), a 'Dance' (Allegretto) and a well-known 'March' (Allegro con brio). The march is still on the concert repertoire of many British military bands.