Comedy Suite (Exploits for Orchestra)

arranged from “The Belles of St. Trinian’s” by Christopher Palmer

Prelude -

Train to Trinian’s -

Flash and Miss Fritton -

Races and Games (Tribal Warfare) -

Finale

The inspiration for the long-running “St. Trinian’s” film series was the cartoons of Ronald Searle, who created the St. Trinian’s girl in dozens of drawings published in a variety of periodicals between 1941 and 1953. “She could,” he said, “be sadistic, cunning, dissolute, crooked, sordid, lacking morals of any sort and capable of any excess. She would also be well spoken, even well mannered and polite. Sardonic, witty and very amusing, she would be good company.” The five St Trinians films, clearly based on Searle’s characters, were devised and directed by Frank Lauder - the first in 1954, the last in 1980 - and Malcolm Arnold wrote the music for all of them.

Arranged by Christopher Palmer from the 35 cues written for The Belles of St Trinians in 1954, the Comedy Suite contains not only the essence of Arnold’s music for the series but also something of the flavour of the films themselves. The Prelude, beginning with a bright fanfare, includes a a school song or march with prominent piano and percussion-band parts. As Train to Trinian’s suggests, however, school discipline is off the rails even before term begins. The rather quieter music of Flash and Miss Fritton, including a melodious waltz, reflects the contrasting characters of the only apparently old-fashioned headmistress Miss Fritton (Alastair Sim in drag) and the Cockney spiv Flash Harry (George Cole). A parody of The Rite of Spring indicates that races and games at St. Trinian’s are more like tribal warfare, after which the Finale returns us safely to the school hall with a reprise of the opening march.