Thomas Armstrong (musician)
Sir Thomas Armstrong | |
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Born | 15 June 1898 |
Died | 26 June 1994 (aged 96) |
Occupations |
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Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong (15 June 1898 – 26 June 1994) was an English organist, conductor, composer and educationalist. He was from a musical family and his early career was as a church and cathedral organist. From the 1920s onwards he was a broadcaster for the BBC giving talks as well as playing.
While organist and faculty member of Christ Church, Oxford Armstrong combined academic work with practical musicianship, as player and conductor. From 1955 to 1968, he was principal of the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), London, where he was known for his concern for the well-being of his staff and students and his efforts to strengthen links with overseas music colleges.
Life and career
Early years
Armstrong was born in
In 1912 Armstrong was appointed organist of Thorney Abbey, and the following year he was articled to Haydn Keeton, organist of Peterborough Cathedral. A fellow apprentice, Malcolm Sargent, later known as a conductor, became a lifelong friend.[2] They liked to trace their musical ancestry back to Mozart: Keeton had been articled to George Elvey, who was articled to Thomas Attwood, who was articled to Mozart.[3]
Early career
In 1915–16, Armstrong was assistant organist in Peterborough for a year before being elected
After the war Armstrong completed his studies, studying music with Hugh Allen and organ under Henry Ley at Christ Church. He graduated with a BA in modern history in 1921 and took his BMus in 1922.[1][3]
After leaving Oxford in 1922 Armstrong briefly took up an appointment at
In 1927 Armstrong made his first broadcast, in an organ recital for the
Oxford and Royal Academy of Music
Armstrong returned to Oxford in 1933 as organist of Christ Church in succession to
In 1955 Armstrong was appointed principal of the Royal Academy of Music. The Times later commented on this period:
It was entirely typical of Armstrong that at this stage, aged 57, he should take up playing the double bass, receiving lessons from one of his own staff. Supported by his wife Hester, who provided a refuge of comfort and affection for literally thousands of students, he guided the Academy's often shaky fortunes with wisdom, foresight and humanity for the next 13 years.[2]
As well as his concern for the well-being of his students and staff, Armstrong worked to develop links between the RAM and conservatoires of music in other European countries.[3]
In addition to his RAM duties, Armstrong was prominent in other aspects of British musical life. He was senior adviser to the
Armstrong was
Armstrong died at his home in Olney at the age of 96.[3]
Compositions
Armstrong was modest about his music, although he composed all his life, despite the other demands on his time. For his Who's Who entry he confined himself to seven words on the subject: " Compositions: various, the larger ones remain unpublished."[8] He admitted that he had not lived up to Vaughan Williams's advice that "if you write a little bit of music to the best of your ability on every day of your life you will write one good piece before you die."[2] He continued to compose into his nineties: "I still try to write a little music in my antiquated idiom. But I suppose nothing is so antiquated as what was avant-garde five years ago".[1]
Amrstrong composed 25 anthems, carols, services and a large number of songs. The ambitious secular works composed for his doctorate remained unperformed until after his death, when they were recorded on a Chandos CD.[3] His biographer Richard Stoker writes that Armstrong "belonged to the gentle English tradition of Parry, Vaughan Williams, Howells, and Finzi".[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stoker, Richard. "Armstrong, Sir Thomas Henry Wait (1898–1994)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2017 (subscription or UK public library membership required)
- ^ a b c d e "Obituary: Sir Thomas Armstrong", The Times, 28 June 1994, p. 23
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Armstrong, Robert. "The Works of Thomas Armstrong", Notes to Chandos CD 9657, pp. 4–7
- ^ a b c Rose, Bernard Rose. "Armstrong, Sir Thomas", Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 13 November 2017 (subscription required)
- ^ "Programmes for Friday, July 29", Radio Times, 22 July 1927, p. 145
- ^ "Broadcast Talks", The Times, 8 September 1933, p. 10
- ^ "Professor of Music at Oxford", The Times, 19 June 1946, p. 6
- ^ a b "Armstrong, Sir Thomas Henry Wait", Who Was Who, Oxford University Press, 2014. Retrieved 14 Nov 2017