Thomas Armstrong: Orchestral and Choral Works

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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

Tracks:

Toward The Unknown Region - London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: I. Agnus Dei (Lento) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: II. Beat! Beat! Drums! (Allegro Moderato) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: III. Reconciliation (Andantino) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: IV. Dirge For Two Veterans (Moderato Alla Marcia) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: V. The Angel Of Death Has Been abroad (L'istesso Tempo) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: VI. O Man Greatly Beloved - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Fant (Quasi Vars) On The Old 104th Psalm Tune - Peter Katin
Magnificat - Helen Watts/Ambrosian Singers/Christopher Hyde-Smith

Tracks:

Partita: I. Prld (Andante Tranquillo) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Partita: II. Scherzo Ostinato (Presto) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Partita: III. Intermezzo (Homage To Henry Hall) (Andante Con Moto) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Partita: IV. Fant (Allegro) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: I. Intrada (Largo) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: II. Burlesca Ostinata (Allegro Moderato) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: III. Sarabande (Lento) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: IV. Scherzo (Allegro: Tempo Di Valse) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: V. March (A La Marcia) And Reprise - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Fant On A Theme By Thomas Tallis - Philharmonia Orch/Sir Malcolm Sargent
Romance in D flat - Larry Adler/Eric Gritton
The Lark Ascending - Jean Pougnet

Thomas Armstrong: Orchestral and Choral Works

Average customer rating:

Wonderful musical style

Thomas Armstrong: Orchestral and Choral Works

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Rhapsody For Baritone, Chorus, And Orchestra: A Passer-By
For Small Orchestra: Sinfonietta
For Piano And Strings: Fantasy Quintet
Never Weather-Beaten Sail
She Is Not Fair To Outward View
O Mortal Folk
New Year Carol
Sweet Day
With Margerain Gentle
Friends Departed

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful musical style.......2000-12-12

The music of Thomas Armstrong is pretty-well unknown outside of circles of professional musicians. However, if one appreciates the early 20th-Century English style of composition, known mostly through Vaughn-Williams and Holst, this is a wonderful next step to take. My personal favorites are the six short motets in the middle of the disc. "O Mortal Folk" is absolutely poignant. The title track of the album is quite a fun piece, wherein the composer uses rapidly changing time-signatures to give the feel of a sea journey with its changes of tide and weather. Though this is probably not music which will ever be relegated to the level of Bach and Brahms, it is a fun album, well played, that opens up the listener to one more world of compositional style.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Sleep Dirt [Original recording remastered]

The Voice of Romance

The Jelly Roll Kings

Momentos Inolvidables de Una

Yes: I'm Limited, Vol. 2

The Remixes [EP]

The Ultimate Collection [Box set]

Schubert: Quartets Nos.9 & 13

Strangers/Swinging Doors [Import]

The Music

The First Session [EP]

This Is Where Our Hearts Collide

Tidy Two CD Singles, Vol. 1 [CD-single] [Import]

Gospel Classics

Angelina