Search - ARMSTRONG, Watson, Varcoe :: Passer-By / Sinfonietta / Fantasy Quintet

Chandos Records has a wonderful way of pulling rabbits out of their hat. They're especially adept at finding--then aggressively advocating--neglected British composers of this century. Thomas Armstrong (1898-1994) is one such composer. This is an extraordinary collection of brief orchestral works (Sinfonietta), a piano quintet, several songs for baritone and/or soprano, and several pieces for a cappella choir. And there isn't a stinker in the bunch. Armstrong--as well as his father, A.E. Armstrong--was a lifelong music teacher and organist. At the Royal College of Music in 1922 he studied under Ralph Vaughan Williams. He's his own man, however, with nary a hint of Vaughan Williams anywhere. Armstrong's music is strongly romantic and rich with emotion. Credit, thought, should be given to Paul Daniel's helmsmanship of the usually stodgy London Philharmonic. They're absolutely alive here, making this release one of Chandos's best in many a moon. --Paul Cook