2016 marks the 10th anniversary since the passing of one of the world’s significant composers. To pay tribute, The Wallace Collection, in conjunction with the Malcolm Arnold Trust, have embarked upon a CD recording project to capture many of Arnold’s works for brass.
This project reached out to a wide range of musicians, resulting in contributions being compiled from an eclectic mix of ensembles and soloists from across the UK.
National Youth Brass Band of Scotland
NYBBS was the first group to commence the recording schedule when it met in Stirling on 13-14 November to record Arnold’s ‘Fantasy for Brass Band’ and most significantly ‘Little Suite for Brass’ – a piece originally commissioned by the Scottish Amateur Music Association (who looked after NYBBS at the time), and premiered by the band at Aberdeen’s High School for Girls in July that year, led by Scottish National Orchestra conductor Bryden Thomson.
Of this first step towards the recording’s compilation, John Wallace commented:
I look back on my time with NYBBS very fondly. As a young musician, it offered so many new and exciting opportunities to perform exciting repertoire with inspiring conductors and I am so glad to see this ethos continuing.
Having worked with NYBBS in the summer, it was clear the organisation retains an appetite to bring members new experiences and opportunities, whether that is the tour of Canada in 2016, masterclasses with guest educationalists or performances at prestigious events like the Cumnock Tryst.
It’s an exciting prospect for NYBBS to be part of the project as it has gained the support and attention of the Malcolm Arnold Trust, and so offers the band (and the CD as a whole) significant recognition for their involvement and quality of performance.
The CD will be released in 2016 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the composer’s death and will also include performances of Arnold’s Fantasies (solo works) by winners of The Malcolm Arnold Fantasies Competition.
Update:
The final CD – The Magic of Malcolm Arnold Vol. 1 – was released in 2016.
If you would like to purchase a copy, it is available through The Wallace Collection online shop.