Robert Simpson - Symphony No.10

Robert Simpson (1921-1997)

Symphony No. 10

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor)

'Of inestimable value. A major release' (CDReview)

'Terrific. It's hard to imagine anything which could be improved about the presentation. A very rewarding experience' (BBC Record Review)

'The RLPO and Handley's achievment is ... admirable. This is an exceptionally demanding score ... (played) with much discipline and stamina. Hyperion's clean, well-balanced recording does nothing to obstruct the view' (Gramophone)

...The good news is that Robert Simpson is one of the more approachable composers of the 20th century, using classical musical strucures such as the symphony, and diatonic harmonies. The slightly less good news is that the tenth symphony of 1988 is undoubtedly more difficult than his earlier ones. Having said that, it is well worth the effort to get to know, and with familiarity will come a deep admiration for an amazing and thrilling work.

It is a huge piece of almost an hour in traditional four movement form. The notes in the Hyperion CD are very helpful with a full musical analysis (increasingly rare these days). Or you can sit back and be swept along by the forces that are typical of Simpson's symphonies - exciting and powerful.

As with the other recordings in the Hyperion cycle of Simpson symphonies, Vernon Handley and the Royal Liverpool Symphony Orchestra play together brilliantly and the recording quality is second to none....