Robert Simpson - Symphony No. 11; Nielsen Variations (Matthew Taylor)

Information

Composer: Robert Simpson

• (01) Symphony No. 11
• (03) Variations on a theme by Nielsen

City of London Sinfonia

Matthew Taylor, conductor

Date: 2004

Label: Hyperion

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67500

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Review

This luminous 11th Symphony completes this magnificent Simpson survey

More than seven years have passed since the previous issue in this symphonic survey appeared, coupling Simpson’s First and Eighth Symphonies (2/97). As with Nos 2 (12/92) and 7 (6/88), No 11 (1990) is scored for a Classical orchestra, but it shares the airiness and transparency of texture of other late Simpson scores, for example the still-unrecorded Flute and Cello Concertos. The two-movement structure evokes the traditional symphony’s middle movements, Andante and Scherzo, extended to encompass attributes of the outer spans. The first opens out fan-wise from (and returns to) a radiant polyphony sounding both typical and utterly untypical: in places the string writing has the intensity of Shostakovich, yet there are passages of quiet, single-part spareness. The second span, Allegro vivace, builds with familiar Simpson verve into a dynamic, imposing edifice, the brass counterpoint crowning the final climax before the subdued, throwaway coda.

Standing in Simpson’s output much like the Eighth in Beethoven’s, No 11 is a calm yet vigorous upbeat to his culminatory choral symphony. Or should have been: Simpson died before being able to execute his plan for No 12. The coupling is a delightful set of variations on a theme from Nielsen’s late incidental music, Ebbe Skamulsen. Written in 1983 to a BBC commission, it shows off Simpson’s humour (evident in both theme selection as in, for instance, the tiny scherzetto variations 4-6). The fine seventh and Adagio ninth variations give over to the work’s second part, an 11-minute finale which develops into a most impressive structure.

Matthew Taylor secures magnificent playing from the City of London Sinfonia, especially in the symphony where his pacing is ideal, due to his knowledge of the work – it was written for him and the orchestra. The Nielsen Variations purr along splendidly. An utterly marvellous disc, which I cannot recommend highly enough.

-- Guy Rickards, Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/h/hyp67500b.php

https://www.amazon.com/Simpson-R-Symphony-Variations-Nielsen/dp/B0002JEJQU

Complete Symphonies Box Set Reviews:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2006/sept06/Simpson_symphonies_CDS441917.htm

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/oct/27/classicalmusicandopera.shopping4

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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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Matthew Taylor (born 1964 in London) is an English composer and conductor.

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

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