Thank you! Until recently I was reluctant to listen to contemporary classical music. Things have changed a lot since I read your blog. The number of contemporary composers I’ve discovered here is amazing!
Michael, thank you very much for this comment, it means very much to read something like this. Above all, i’m delighted that your initial reluctance has been challenged – and overcome!
Graham
10 years ago
I enjoyed the exuberant Mark Simpson piece but what is one to make of the MacMillan 2nd piano concerto which shared the same programme? Humourless, grotesque, crude….
Ah well, i confess i neither recorded nor listened to the MacMillan. His music is so consistently unimpressive these days, i simply couldn’t be bothered.
Chris L
9 years ago
I’m not convinced Simpson would be flattered by the comparison, but to my ears this sounds in parts like a highly compressed version of Maw’s Odyssey. However, speaking of British composers of a more “traditional” bent, one composer whom Simpson certainly doesn’t sound like is his near-namesake but (presumably) non-relation, Robert…
You know, that’s a good observation – it’s a while since i’ve heard Odyssey, but Simpson’s approach (which, i think, sets him apart from most other composers at the moment) does bear some resemblances to Maw. Hmm, this might be a train of thought that runs for a while…
I also hear the odd hint of Ades, whom I know Simpson admires, although of course he relies much less on overt allusion than does that composer.
Chris L
9 years ago
BTW, is there any scope for stepping away from the Proms fray to discuss Simpson’s The Immortal, a jaw-dropping and frankly terrifying piece currently available on iPlayer?
Chris – i’ve recorded The Immortal but haven’t yet had a chance to listen to it. It’s definitely something high on my priorities, though, and you can rest assured – assuming i like it of course! – that i’ll appear on 5:4 in due course (but probably after the Proms).
Udeni
8 years ago
Thank you for this nuanced review, Simon. I work in Salford and wandered into the BBC Philharmonic’s open rehearsal of Mark Simpson’s Israfael today. I was blown away. I came away wanting to learn more about the composer and the work. Thank goodness for your website! I know little about contemporary music and will enjoy learning more through your mix tapes. Keep up the good work!
Unlock with Patreon
Thank you! Until recently I was reluctant to listen to contemporary classical music. Things have changed a lot since I read your blog. The number of contemporary composers I’ve discovered here is amazing!
Michael, thank you very much for this comment, it means very much to read something like this. Above all, i’m delighted that your initial reluctance has been challenged – and overcome!
I enjoyed the exuberant Mark Simpson piece but what is one to make of the MacMillan 2nd piano concerto which shared the same programme? Humourless, grotesque, crude….
Ah well, i confess i neither recorded nor listened to the MacMillan. His music is so consistently unimpressive these days, i simply couldn’t be bothered.
I’m not convinced Simpson would be flattered by the comparison, but to my ears this sounds in parts like a highly compressed version of Maw’s Odyssey. However, speaking of British composers of a more “traditional” bent, one composer whom Simpson certainly doesn’t sound like is his near-namesake but (presumably) non-relation, Robert…
You know, that’s a good observation – it’s a while since i’ve heard Odyssey, but Simpson’s approach (which, i think, sets him apart from most other composers at the moment) does bear some resemblances to Maw. Hmm, this might be a train of thought that runs for a while…
I also hear the odd hint of Ades, whom I know Simpson admires, although of course he relies much less on overt allusion than does that composer.
BTW, is there any scope for stepping away from the Proms fray to discuss Simpson’s The Immortal, a jaw-dropping and frankly terrifying piece currently available on iPlayer?
Chris – i’ve recorded The Immortal but haven’t yet had a chance to listen to it. It’s definitely something high on my priorities, though, and you can rest assured – assuming i like it of course! – that i’ll appear on 5:4 in due course (but probably after the Proms).
Thank you for this nuanced review, Simon. I work in Salford and wandered into the BBC Philharmonic’s open rehearsal of Mark Simpson’s Israfael today. I was blown away. I came away wanting to learn more about the composer and the work. Thank goodness for your website! I know little about contemporary music and will enjoy learning more through your mix tapes. Keep up the good work!