Lyrita New Release
Release Date: 2nd April 2021
SRCD 389 Robert Simpson (1921-1997)
A Centenary Release
Premieres from the Royal Festival Hall, London
Symphony No. 5 (1972)
London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis, conductor, BBC Broadcast 3 May 1973
Symphony No. 6 (1977)
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Groves, conductor, BBC Broadcast 8 April 1980
Lyrita is delighted to celebrate the centenary of Robert Simpson’s birth with the release of two BBC recordings: the world premiere performances of Simpson’s Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 6. This is the first time these performances have been released since their premieres in 1973 and 1980.
Simpson’s Symphony No. 5 received its premiere on 3 May 1973 at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Davis. Edward Greenfield in The Guardian said: “The performance of Robert Simpson Symphony No. 5 was one of the finest premieres of a major orchestral work I can remember, fearless in its physical impact.” Desmond Shawe-Taylor’s review in the Sunday Times headed “Power of Robert Simpson” and observed that the 5th Symphony “compels all but the most rigidly advanced of listeners to take a closer look at this remarkable composer.” Robert Matthew-Walker said: “The performance was electrifying, and the young Andrew Davis was at his considerable best. The effect of the opening three or four minutes of the Symphony will remain indelibly etched in my memory.”
The premiere of Simpson’s Sixth Symphony was on on 8 April 1980 at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Charles Groves. Edward Greenfield wrote in his Guardian review: “Happily Dr Simpson’s metaphors are incidental to his genuinely musical imagination. So, after the fragmentary germinal motives at the start, he turns very quickly to a bold tonal melody such as Nielsen might have written. One might even say that another of Dr Simpson’s great influences is represented too; he has often acknowledged his debt to Beethoven and here he has in effect written a Pastoral symphony for the 20th century, a view of nature observed not through the eye of the individual but through the microscope.”
Listen here: Symphony No. 5 soundcloud extract: https://soundcloud.com/nimbus-records/srcd389-robert-simpson-symphony-no-5-allegro/s-iX9axABMwsa
Listen here: Symphony No. 6 soundcloud extract: https://soundcloud.com/nimbus-records/simpson-symphony-no-6-part-2/s-NRDrf93B4a2
This is an exciting release, an essential supplement to Hyperion’s recordings of Symphonies 1-10 conducted by Vernon Handley and no. 11 by its dedicatee Matthew Taylor. All of these sessions, which I was privileged to produce, were memorable. Tod Handley clearly believed wholeheartedly in this music, as did Hyperion’s creator Ted Perry, who described listening to these symphonies as ‘experiencing a force greater than my imagination had mustered’. Until his debilitating stroke, Robert Simpson was at my side in the control room during all sessions. I have never worked with a composer so constructive, so unencumbered by ego. Any practical suggestions were made in his characteristic down-to-earth manner – no flowery vocabulary for Bob! The last time I saw him was when Ted and I visited him at his home in Tralee in County Kerry. He and his wife Angela, who nursed him selflessly until his death, had prepared Sunday lunch for us all, and we sat in the large living room overlooking the sea. Bob, in constant pain and severely disabled, was dozing, waking fitfully. I asked him if he’d like to hear any music. Schubert 9 would be nice, came the barely discernible reply. In the neglected music room, full of off-air tapes from Bob’s days as a BBC producer, I found a CD of the version by Abbado and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. ‘Will this one do, Bob?’. He came alive, and eagerly specified the four bars in the Scherzo which had been cut by Brahms, but re-instated for this recording. In this gravely damaged brain, the musical mind remained alert. A memorable visit.
What a lovely beautiful memoire Andrew. I know Matthew Taylor was also a loyal friend who went to see Bob in Ireland. No living person has been more supportive of this fine, neglected composer. As for me I programmed S5 with the YMSO with Bob joining me at SJSS. James Blair gave an excellent performance coupled with Nielsen Flute Concerto and Sib 5. It was the same day as Wimbledon beat Liverpool in the Cup Final which I also attended. This turns out to be one of the most satisfying days of my life. An unexpected but for me a delightful surprise was followed by a composer whose works I have always loved, spending time listening to his music played by the enthusiastic young talented musicians of the YMSO.
I am thrilled to hear of this Lyrita release and can’t wait to acquire it,
What is the BBC planning I wonder?
Does anyone recall Bob’s invaluable BBC Radio programmes – The Innocent Ear? In this way, outflanking prejudice, he promoted the work of many other composers, including John.
Yes, I was a regular listener, and also when Robert Layton became the host.
Ah, The Innocent Ear! No dumbing down there! Which leads me to remember the recently-departed and much-missed Robert Layton – another important figure during my early days in London at the beginning of the 1980s. Before my life of record production took off, he offered me one of my first broadcasts, an ‘Interpretations on Record’ edition on Mozart’s ‘Dissonance’ Quartet. Bob was one of several people at the time who supported me and offered opportunities to my 20-something gauche self. Others included the aforementioned Ted Perry as well as Simon Foster, Edward Greenfield, Quita Chavez, Christine Hardwick and John Lade (come on, my contemporaries, enlighten those callow folk to whom these illustrious figures of Radio 3 and record industry history are not even names!). Apologies, Colin, for these tangential ramblings…
No apology needed Andrew. Please keep commenting, Colin
Bravo to all at Lyrita for honouring the centenary of Bob Simpson. Let us hope that others may be encouraged to follow suit.
I recall vividly the overwhelming power, impact and dramatic force of the Fifth when I first met Bob in January 1984 and he played me the magnificent premiere with Andrew Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra.
I still find his symphonic cycle the greatest since Nielsen and Sibelius and hope that this disc may stimulate a much needed Simpson revival for a figure who has been undervalued or ignored for too long,