The Malcolm Arnold Festival is going from strength to strength. Held annually each October in the composer’s hometown of Northampton, the festival offers the opportunity to celebrate some of Arnold’s most iconic works, as well as shedding light on unknown gems. The festival’s theme over the next two years is to explore Arnold’s very special concertos. These are some of the composer’s most characterful works and were all written for great players and friends. This year the programme includes concerti for organ, recorder, guitar, flute and Arnold’s much-loved 2nd Clarinet Concerto (played by the great clarinettist Julian Bliss). Events take place on 19 and 20 October at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton.