Arnold, Malcolm Henry (1921–2006)

English composer. His work is tonal and includes a large amount of orchestral, chamber, ballet, and vocal music. His best-known overtures include Beckus the Dandipratt (1948), A Sussex Overture (1951), and Tam O'Shanter (1955). His operas include The Dancing Master (1951), and he has written music for more than 80 films, including The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), for which he won an Academy Award.

Arnold was born in Northampton and studied at the Royal College of Music in London. He began his career as a trumpeter, becoming principal trumpet in the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1942. He later took up the career of a full-time composer, writing much orchestral and film music in an agreeably diatonic style. He soon became known for his witty, high-spirited, and well- designed compositions. He was knighted in 1993.

Works Ballet Homage to the Queen (1953), Rinaldo and Armida (1955), Solitaire (1956), Elektra (1963).

Film and incidental music more than 80 film scores, including The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957); incidental music for Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Orchestral overture Beckus the Dandipratt (1948) for orchestra; symphony for strings; nine symphonies (1951–87); concertos for horn, clarinet (2), flute (2), oboe, piano duet, and mouth organ; concertos for trumpet, recorder, and cello (1988–89).

Chamber two string quartets (1951, 1975); violin and piano sonata, viola and piano sonata; piano works.