Malcolm Arnold was one of the most distinguished British composers of his generation, writing for the ballet, theatre, and film screen as well as the concert hall. He lived through the upheavals of the mid-20th century and survived his own share of personal tragedies but transformed his experiences into music vibrant with emotion.   

This exhibition introduced his music through his manuscripts, set amongst film posters, programmes and photographs. With Arnold’s alterations and annotations, jottings and scribblings, these manuscripts offer a closeness to his creative process inspiring to all visitors, whatever their musical experience. 

The exhibition was part of a three-year Malcolm Arnold Project, which aimed to make most of the loan deposit of Arnold’s manuscripts at College Library to bring them to as wide an audience as possible. The project was a collaboration between the library, the college’s music department, the Malcolm Arnold Trust, and interested scholars. 

Curated by Dr Lucy Gwynn, Deputy Director of Collections and Michael Meredith, Curator of Modern Collections, Eton College.