The orchestra always had a soft spot for the attractive, tuneful music of Malcolm Arnold and for many years a number of his works appeared on its concert programmes including such pieces as the English Dances, Scottish Dances and the overture Tam O’Shanter. A lively Divertimento, originally written for the National Youth Orchestra, found its way onto the music stands of the County School of Music in the early 1960’s and remained there for many years. Malcolm Arnold also conducted the orchestra in a 1963 De Montfort Hall concert which included Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel, Tam O’Shanter and a selection of his English Dances. The LSSO made the first commercial recording of Divertimento for the Pye label in July 1967 under the direction of the Eric Pinkett. The record was released in March 1968.

Press articles relating to Malcolm Arnold can be seen in the reviews section of this website and more about Divertimento can be found in the memoirs section.

Sound clips: Divertimento - Second movement

Sound clips: Divertimento - Third movement