Are you familiar with the acronym MORM? Probably not since I just made it up. It stands for middle-of-the-road modern, a concept that is relative to the time frame under consideration. Every age has had its modern composers and its conservative ones. During the first half of the last century the former were represented by Schönberg and his disciples. People like Alan Hovhannes and Ferde Grofé made up the arrière-garde.

In mid-century England, the spread wasn't quite that wide, at least among major composers. Benjamin Britten was at the leading edge, though he hardly seems modern now, and Malcolm Arnold was relatively conservative. In between the two was Sir William Walton (1902-1982)

Walton was a perfectionist and did not write a great deal. Certain of his works, like Façade and the Viola Concerto are performed with some regularity and his entire output is available on CD.

The String Quartet of 1919-1922 was withdrawn by the composer, but it's in the repertoire now. It is a substantial piece, particularly given that Walton was only twenty when he wrote it. It was distinctly modern at the time of its composition, sounding a bit like English Ravel with some attitude. It's an enjoyable listen.

The String Quartet in A minor was written a qarter of a century later, during a period in which the composer's MORM credentials were thoroughly secure. It's a more conservative score, though pleasing for all that. Its inventiveness and craftsmanship are of a high order and most chamber music lovers will find it most interesting.

The young members of the Doric Quartet bring expert and committed performances to the music; let's hope we hear more from them.