Malcolm Arnold

The River Kwai March was composed by Malcolm Arnold for the 1957 film The Bridge On The River Kwai. It is a counterpoint melody to the well-known theme tune of the film the Colonel Bogey March which was written earlier by the British Army Bandmaster Kenneth J Aldford. It has been arranged here for solo Piano.Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) was an English composer who is best remembered for his film scores most famously the St Trinian's series. However he also wrote several orchestral works and ballets. He studied Trumpet and composition at the RCM before becoming a professional trumpeter playing as Principal Trumpet with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

An exciting addition to the two piano repertoire Ragtime was written in the early war years and reflects both Sir Malcolm's love of jazz and his enormous respect for his friend and teacher Constant Lambert. A real audience winner. Score only: 2 copies will be required to perform this successfully.

Originally commissioned by the BBC and first performed by Phyllis Sellick and Cyril Smith with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer.. . .has an enchantingly gentle Ravelian slow movement and an outrageously jazzy finale which was encored at its Proms premiere - understandably as it centres on one of Arnold's most infectious tunes. . .Ivan March Gramophone December 1994