Robert Simpson - Symphonies 6 and 7

Robert Simpson (1921-1997)

Symphonies Nos 6 & 7

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor)

'Surely about the most imposing symphonic cycle in progress by any living composer … the involvement and sweep of the performances are thrilling' (The Independent)

'The Sixth is a work of immense power, and if the Seventh is a more cryptic statement this recording certainly brings it into clearer focus than before' (Gramophone)

Amazon.com

These are two of the most extraordinary British symphonies to emerge since the Second World War. Simpson (b. 1921) tends to build his ideas as musical cells, but one will be motile, while the other is static. He will combine these and then let them evolve. It only seems atonal, but it isn't. Simpson lets the music emerge or submerge when it wants to. You can hear hints of Sibelius's moodiness, but beyond Sibelius, you won't be able to identify anybody other than Simpson. Hyperion is releasing all of Simpson's symphonies as well as his string quartets. Start here with these masterpieces. --Paul Cook

When I first listen to this CD, I was surprised. How can a composer write two so different symphonies and yet they are so typical for Simpson's musical language? That really amazed me as both symphonies are masterpieces in their own way.

Simpson's sixth symphony is perhaps (at least to me) its finest achivement in the orchestral media by this composer. A single, 28-minute movement does not have a slow movement. Not only that, nearly the entire symphony is in the same tempo, which makes it more unique; the contrasts are only in the expression. Another thing is the tonally simple organisation of twelve-tone system (an opening theme is using a pairing of minor third and perfect fifth, which would suggest the influence of Lutos³awski, but the sound is completely different). Although there are some similarities with Shostakovich, especially in the orchestration, Simpson has really written a great work, which is one of true masterpieces of late 20th century.

The seventh symphony has left me a bit confused; what a difference! What was Simpson thinking? Its contemplative atmosphere and a bit rude, elemental sound with relatively small orchestra (a 2, typical for Mozart), centred around tone C sharp with many interesting sonic placings of winds in high pitches makes the symphony unique in another aspect. Not in the terms of traditional movement form (it is the single movement as the sixth), but in the aspect of psychological approach towards the content.

Vernon Handley is a fenomenal conductor; while he's not much famous conductor in the world, he is certainly a master conductor for large scale symphonies like of Mahler, Bruckner and Shostakovich. And Simpson's symphonies rightfully join these masters of symphonic writting. The recordings are awesome, thrilling and powerful. Highly recommended.