| samedi 24 octobre 2026 | 12:10 |
| Jiaxin Lloyd Webber | Violoncelle |
A day of live performances honouring the music of Sir Malcolm Arnold at Cripps Hall and St Matthew’s Church in the composer’s hometown of Northampton - the Malcolm Arnold Festival, a community-focused annual celebration, will showcase the composer’s sparkling chamber, brass and orchestral music.
The festival will be opened by its President, the internationally-renowned cellist and educator Julian Lloyd Webber, who shares a profound personal connection with one of the many standout performances. Malcolm Arnold wrote his Fantasy for Cello for the cellist in 1986. Reflecting on the work, Lloyd Webber notes that Arnold's writing is incredibly generous and direct, demonstrating a genuine love for the instrument through lyrical phrasing that naturally draws out the richest, warmest qualities.
Recalling the origin of the piece and their mutual admiration, Lloyd Webber has said that on requesting a commission from the composer, “he readily agreed while refusing to accept a commission fee, explaining that his music was ‘a gesture of friendship’. As Arnold had never written for cello before, I had no idea what to expect. But I was more than happy with what arrived.”
Consisting of seven short continuous movements, the work conveys the same intensity of expression found in Arnold’s finest works. And fittingly, it will be Lloyd Webber’s wife, Jiaxin Cheng Lloyd Webber – herself an acclaimed cellist – who will take centre stage in this performance.
Tickets are available from the website an on the door - enjoy all the day’s events with an affordable Day Ticket, or free admission for students and those under the age of 18. The evening Gala Concert is priced separately.
Find full details of the day’s events on Bachtrack.
