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Hello everybody,

Yesterday, I retrieved the Chandos disc [Chan 9657] from my collection of music by Thomas Armstrong, and reacquainted myself with it. What a reveleation his music is, and this seems to be the only CD I know of which highlights his wor!!!!

For anybody who has not heard this wonderful disc [Thomas Armstrong 1898-1994 - British composer], then try and get hold of a copy. You will not regret it!

I just wish a recording company would record some more of his music - perhaps a possibility for Dutton at some future time?

Best wishes,

Eric.

Hello everybody,

I'd like to directly quote from a biography of Edward German by Brian Rees entitled 'A Musical Peacemaker' published back in 1986 by the Kensal Press:

"In 1918 in aid of the Red Cross and the Order of St John, he (Edward German) participated in a concert rganised by Landon Ronald at Queen's Hall. The programme contained a Toy Symphony in which many distinguished musicians took part. It was composed by Richard Blagrove, a professor of viola at the Academy and that rather rare being, a serious student of the concertina. German had asked to be allotted the triangle, but found himself at a desk in the second violins along with the brilliant Albert Sammons. Elgar played the cymbals, Myra Hess and the Misses Scharrer were the nightingales, the two Sir Fredericks, Cowen and Bridge, played the rattles, and the pianist Moisewitch, the coveted triangle; C. Haydn Coffin, the original Tom Jones and pianist Mark Hambourg played the castanets. When the nightingales began to blow into the mugs of water the second violins received a shower and Sir Alexander Mackenzie provided himself with an umbrella for the performance."

I wish I had been there!!! Ever since reading this account, I have always wanted to hear this piece of music. Does anybody know anything else about Richard Blagrove? There seems to be next to nothing recorded in the catalogue. I look forward to hearing from somebody
Best wishes,
Eric.