Born in 1921, Sir Malcolm Arnold was one of the most fluent and versatile composers of his, or any other, generation. His prolific output comprises symphonies, concerti, chamber music, stage works, divertimenti, choral music, song cycles and music for wind and brass band, whilst his catalogue of over a hundred scores for film and television includes the Oscar-winning Bridge on the River Kwai. Malcolm Arnold was awarded the CBE in 1970 and was Knighted in 1993. In 1986 he received the Ivor Novello Award for outstanding services to British music and in 2001 was awarded a Fellowship of the British Academy for Composers and Songwriters on the occasion of his 80th birthday.