Robert Simpson - String Quartets Nos. 14 & 15 (RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet)

Information

Composer: Robert Simpson

• (01) String Quartet No. 14
• (05) Quintet for clarinet, bass clarinet and string trio
• (08) String Quartet No. 15

RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet

Gregory Ellis & Elizabeth Charleson, violins

Simon Aspell, viola

Christopher Marwood, cello

Joy Farrall, clarinet

Fiona Cross, bass clarinet

Date: 1993

Label: Hyperion

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66626

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Review

The Quartet No 14 of 1990 is a very satisfactory work. It benefits from a wonderful design in the classical tradition. It is in four movements beginning with a cogent allegro non troppo, beautifully written, cleverly interwoven and possessing an invigorating verve. The Vanburghs, one of our very finest quartets, maintain both the pulse and interest with a consummate skill and the rhythmic energy they inject into this very special music restores our faith in this most intimate of mediums.

The Presto does not seem to be much different in tempo from the first movement but it continues with its emphasis on energy and is impeccably played. The Andante is beautifully crafted and develops from a cello theme. It has a warmth and serenity and is an excellent model for students as to how to write a slow movement of a quartet. The Vanburghs playing and tone is ravishing. Some of the nuances are deeply impressive.

The final Allegro varies in quality. At best, it is very good but somehow it seems to lose its way suffering from the syndrome that only professionals really understand, the syndrome of 'being written out'. But, do not let that deter you. It contains some good music and is perfectly played but the 'written out' syndrome of the central long pianissimo section does bother me.

The Quintet for clarinet, bass clarinet and string trio dates from 1983 and has two slow movements sandwiching an allegro. It takes a great composer to bring off this design where the slow music is prominent. I think it works here, mainly because of the effectiveness of the clarinet writing. While both clarinetists are good, Fiona Cross's bass clarinet playing is sumptuous. The opening Adagio tranquillo is beautifully atmospheric and rewarding. The brief allegro does not work; it is not of sufficient contrast to the opening adagio but seems to evolve from it. However, when it is animated and strong, which is only comparatively briefly, it is rather good. The final adagio is really nothing more than a coda.

Form and structure may be a problem in the Quartet No 15 of 1991. It is in one movement divided into three main sections ... a heavy introductory adagio, a long middle section called severo which is severe and intense and the final allegretto is another coda. One is left with the impression that Simpson had to write another quartet and relies on his skill and technique to guide him into this composition. It sometimes sounds like the work of a weary composer as the example of Shostakovitch's last quartets may equally testify. Nonetheless, this Quartet No 15 has an admirable terseness at times and some exquisite moments thus throwing up a major problem. How do you evaluate a work that is acceptable but contains a few moments that are like priceless jewels? The 'written out' syndrome?

In conclusion, I want to state that Robert Simpson is one of our finest composers. Of that, there is no doubt. He was also a very congenial person, an honest man of integrity and courage. He was unbiased, totally professional and a generous personality! Some of his music is of the highest quality; his Symphony No 1 was a revelation when first heard in the early 1950s and remains a cracker of a piece. Some of his other symphonies are also very impressive as are his concertos although his Piano Concerto has come in for some unfair criticism and - would you believe it - by non-pianists?

The Vanburghs are simply excellent on this well-recorded disc.

-- David Wright, MusicWeb International

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Robert Simpson (2 March 1921 – 21 November 1997) was an English composer and long-serving BBC producer and broadcaster. He studied composition under Herbert Howells. Simpson is best known for his orchestral and chamber music, and for his writings on the music of Beethoven, Bruckner, Nielsen and Sibelius. He wrote 11 symphonies as well as concertos for violin, piano, flute and cello. His extensive output of chamber music comprised 15 string quartets, 2 string quintets, a clarinet quintet, piano trio, clarinet trio, horn trio and violin sonata. The Robert Simpson Society was formed in 1980.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Simpson_(composer)

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RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, also known as the RTÉ String Quartet, is the resident string quartet to Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Artists in residence to University College Cork, and founders of the internationally acclaimed West Cork Chamber Music Festival. The quartet, founded in 1985, is one of Europe's most successful quartets, internationally recognised for its beauty of sound, clarity of texture and integrity of interpretation within an unusually wide and varied range of repertoire. The quartet comprises Gregory Ellis and Keith Pascoe on violins, Simon Aspell on viola and Christopher Marwood with cello.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT%C3%89_Vanbrugh_Quartet

http://vanbrughquartet.com/

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