Released in 2008, Memory Takes My Hand (Virgin Classics) includes three major new works that range from triumphant choral arrangements to abstract, almost ambient tonalities.
The title work, Memory Takes My Hand, is a celebration of civic life commissioned for the re-opening of Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. On Immer, written for former Scottish Ensemble director Clio Gould, Armstrong touches upon the contemporary electronic music of artists like Fennesz – allowing Gould’s silvery strings to sing repeatedly above the orchestra.
A love of contemporary art is also present on the album, not just in its artwork by painter Alison Watt, but in Armstrong’s collaboration with environmental artists Dalziel + Scullion on One Minute, influenced by the sounds of nature.
Listen
Album tracks
| 1 | Immer (Violin Concerto No.1) |
| 2 | Knoydart |
| 3 | Sionascaig |
| 4 | Sound of Jura |
| 5 | Bauchaille Etive Mor |
| 6 | Rassay |
| 7 | Govan |
| 8 | Kirkwall |
| 9 | Crimond |
| 10 | Quiriang |
| 11 | Rackwick Bay |
| 12 | Edinburgh |
| 13 | Cape Wrath |
| 14 | Glasgow |
| 15 | Rannoch Moor |
| 16 | Perth |
| 17 | Us (Orchestra) |
| 18 | World (Soprano, Chorus & Orchestra) |
| 19 | Age (once) – (Soprano, Chorus & Orchestra) |
| 20 | Taittirya Uphanisad (Chorus & Orchestra) |
| 21 | Recovering (Soprano, Chorus & Orchestra) |
| 22 | One day (Orchestra) |
| 23 | North (Soprano, Chorus & Orchestra) |
| 24 | Glasgow (Chorus & Orchestra) |
| 25 | As we loved (Soprano & Orchestra) |
| 26 | Risen (Orchestra) |
| 27 | The world shall turn (Chorus & Orchesta) |
| 28 | Many (Chorus & Orchestra) |