The niece of a famous English composer is proud to see his music shared with a new audience.

Penny Arnold, from Grange, is the niece of the composer Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold CBE.

Her uncle’s music will be heard again this weekend as Victoria Hall in Grange will be hosting a classic film night featuring a digitally remastered version of David Lean’s Classic British Comedy Hobson’s Choice (1954) which Sir Malcolm wrote the music for.

He died in 2006 after writing across many genres, and composing nine symphonies, numerous concertos, concert works, chamber music, choral music and music for brass band and wind band. He created music for the theatre and had five ballets specially commissioned by the Royal Ballet, as well as two operas and a musical.  Sir Malcolm wrote scores for 132 films, including The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) which earned him an Oscar.

Malcom’s older sister, Penny’s mother, was a big influence on the composer’s early years. She was an artist and poet who played Louis Armstrong records for her brother, leading to his love of jazz.

Penny is a retired teacher of 27 years. She moved from Northampton to Grange in 2000 and said her favourite piece of Malcom’s is Peterloo Overture, which was played at the last night of the proms in 2014.  

In 2019 Penny travelled to Poulton-le-Fylde to see Blackpool Symphony Orchestra close their performance of 'People and Protests’ with Malcom’s Peterloo Overture.

Penny said: “He was one of my favourite uncles as he was very big, jolly and affectionate, I remember travelling to London to see him conduct the last night of the proms. Music is food for the soul, singing, laughing, dancing and playing music, enlivens the human body."

Hobson’s Choice is about British widower and shoe shop owner Henry and his three daughters – Alice, Vicky and Maggie. When headstrong Maggie announces she intends to marry Henry’s best employee, Will, there is an intense showdown.

The doors will open at 6.30pm. The film starts at 7pm on Sunday evening, August 13.