The composer is William Wordsworth, who had a famous name to be sure, and in fact he was a descendant of the poet's brother Christopher. Wordsworth the latter lived from 1908-88.
This CRD album, from 1981, was one of the few recordings of Wordsworth's music during his lifetime. The performers (the Alberni String Quartet and tenor Ian Partridge) are most sympathetic and the sound is excellent.
To my ear, the best music on the disc is the composer's setting of three of his namesake's poems, which help give his music some shape and color (although the music for "On Calais Beach" is strangely glum). The string quartets are closely argued, as the liner notes outline, but they also have a dogged quality that I don't care for.
Lyrita's recent CD of Wordsworth's Symphonies No. 1 and 5 have brought his name to the attention of more people. I have an earlier Lyrita issue of the second and third symphonies, which is worth investigating. If you want to learn more about the composer, a good remembrance can be found on MusicWeb. Wordsworth is seen with the recording artists below.
