Malcolm Arnold studied with Jacob at the Royal College of Music and in 1941 joined the London Philharmonic as a trumpeter, leaving in 1948 to devote himself to composition.

His most important works are orchestral (nine symphonies, 1951-82; numerous light and serious pieces). His language is diatonic, owing something to Walton and Sibelius, and the scoring is dramatically brilliant, Berlioz being his acknowledged model.

A fluent, versatile composer, he has written scores for about 100 films.