Arnold Foster (1898-1963)

Born in Sheffield, conductor, composer and pedagogue, Arnold Foster, studied at the Royal College of Music.

Over his life he held a number of distinguished positions including Director of Music of Morley College in London from 1928 to 1940; director of the English Madrigal Choir from 1928 to 1940; Director Westminster School in London from 1939. He was also lecturer at the London University Institute of Education from 1945. He was founder and conductor of the Arnold Foster Choir & Orchestra from 1945. 

He specialised in arranging folk music; conducting revivals of unknown or neglected choral & orchestral works of all schools. He was the first to revive traditional Manx Folk Song (Isle of Man) and collated them into three volumes.

Vaughan Williams, one of Foster's teachers, gave permission to Foster to orchestrate the Prelude "Rhosymedre" (originally composed for the organ in 1922) In a letter to the Performing Rights Society Vaughan Williams demonstrated his generosity.

Dear Sirs

The arrangement of my Prelude “Rhosymedre” for orchestra by Mr. Arnold Foster is solely his property in so far as royalties and Performing rights are concerned.

Yours faithfully

R Vaughan Williams

Apart from his huge number of folk song arrangements Foster also wrote original music in most genres. 

Autumn Idyll

This is scored for a small orchestra and details to aid performance are included in the score as follows:

 

The writing is rhapsodic but the overall shape is ABA. Initially a solo horn presents a short motif which is answered by a clarinet adding to this dreamy opening.

 

 

An oboe presents the main thematic idea which is then taken up by the violins.

 

 

The central section is by contrast quicker with a folk like melody and lively counterpoint.

 

 

The slow part returns with echoes of the horn figure to the end.

 

 

SAMPLE: Autumn Idyll (all)