Fernandes: Violin Concerto, Violin Sonata / Damas, Tomasik, Ray / Composer: Armando José Fernandes / Performer: Carlos Damas, Anna Tomasik / Conductor: Emily Ray / Orchestra/Ensemble: San Jose Mission Chamber Orchestra / Number of Discs: 1. Armando José Fernandes was a celebrated composer, musician and radio broadcaster in 20th-century Portugal. He was an integral member of the 'Grupo dos Quatro' - alongside Jorge Croner de Vasconcelos, Fernando Lopes-Graça and Pedro do Prado - which exerted substantial influential over Portuguese music in the mid-1900s. Violinist Carlos Damas made his solo debut aged just 15 with the Portuguese National Broadcasting Radio Symphony Orchestra. Among his more recent achievements is the release of an hugely successful CD featuring the works of Fritz Kreisler, which has been praised by The Strad as one of the best Kreisler discs on the market. Recorded in 2012. Armando José Fernandes was one of the most important composers of 20th century Portugal. His musical language, based on an extended tonality, is influenced by Ravel and Debussy, with occasional hints of expressionism and even a touch of moody Shostakovich. Nevertheless there is a southern vitality in the basically romantic heart of this fascinating composer, whose works we hear for the first time on CD. Carlos Damas made his debut as a soloist at the age of 15, with the National Symphony Orchestra of Portugal. His successful career brought him all over the world, and his recordings won universal praise. The Strad named his Kreisler CD "one of the best". For Brilliant Classics he recorded works by Antonio Fragoso (BC 94158).