Short bio Robert Simpson
Full biography Robert Simpson
Robert Wilfred Levick Simpson was an English composer ), born on March 2, 1921, in Leamington Spa, England. Apart from composing, he was also a BBC producer and broadcaster. Simpson was a prolific composer known for his 11 symphonies and 15 string quartets. He was also a writer on music and wrote extensively on the topic. Simpson's early education was at Westminster City School and later at the Royal College of Music, London, where he studied composition with Herbert Howells.
While writing his first symphony, Simpson stumbled upon the music of Danish composer Carl Nielsen, which had a great influence on his development as a composer. Simpson's music is characterized by its polyphonic texture and motivic interplay. His compositions often feature complex structures and intense emotional expression.
Simpson married Bessie Fraser in 1946, and she passed away in 1981. He died on November 21, 1997. Simpson's music has been recorded and performed by many orchestras and ensembles worldwide. While he may not be a household name, Simpson's music has been admired by many in the classical music community.
Compositions featuring Robert Simpson
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cello Concerto | 28:37 min | Concerto | 1991 |
| 2 | String Quartet No 15 | 18:11 min | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| 3 | String Quintet No. 2 for 2 violins, viola & 2 cellos | 14:23 min | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| 4 | Variations for piano on a Theme of Beethoven | 17:07 min | Keyboard | 1990 |
| 5 | Symphony No. 11 | 29:06 min | Symphony | 1990 |
| 6 | String Quartet No 14 | 30:36 min | Chamber Music | 1990 |
| 7 | String Quartet No. 13 | 18:14 min | Chamber Music | 1989 |
| 8 | Tempi, for chorus | 17:49 min | Choral | 1988 |
| 9 | Symphony No. 10 | 54:39 min | Symphony | 1988 |
| 10 | Symphony No. 9 | 49:47 min | Symphony | 1985 |
| 11 | Trio for horn, violin & piano | 18:28 min | Chamber Music | 1984 |
| 12 | Michael Tippett, His Mystery | 1:39 min | Keyboard | 1984 |
| 13 | Variations on a Theme by Nielsen, for orchestra | 25:41 min | Orchestral | 1983 |
| 14 | String Quartet No 10 "For Peace" | 27:06 min | Chamber Music | 1983 |
| 15 | Symphony No. 8 | 44:08 min | Symphony | 1981 |
| 16 | Symphony No. 7 | 28:45 min | Symphony | 1977 |
| 17 | Symphony No. 6 | 31:18 min | Symphony | 1977 |
| 18 | Quartet for horn, violin, cello & piano | 31:36 min | Chamber Music | 1975 |
| 19 | Media morte in vita sumus, motet for chorus, brass & timpani | 14:32 min | Choral | 1975 |
| 20 | Symphony No. 5 | 39:36 min | Symphony | 1972 |
| 21 | Symphony No. 4 | 46:15 min | Symphony | 1970 |
| 22 | Quintet for clarinet & strings | 32:38 min | Chamber Music | 1968 |
| 23 | Symphony No. 3 | 31:01 min | Symphony | 1962 |
| 24 | Variations and Fugue, for recorder & string quartet | 12:59 min | Chamber Music | 1959 |
| 25 | Canzona for brass | 5:08 min | Chamber Music | 1958 |
| 26 | Symphony No. 2 | 28:34 min | Symphony | 1955 |
| 27 | String Quartet No 3 | 17:58 min | Chamber Music | 1954 |
| 28 | String Quartet No. 2 | 15:02 min | Chamber Music | 1953 |
| 29 | Symphony No. 1 | 28:04 min | Symphony | 1951 |
| 30 | Variations for piano on a Theme of Haydn | 22:49 min | Keyboard | 1948 |
| 31 | Sonata for piano | 23:41 min | Keyboard | 1946 |
| 32 | Sonata for violin & piano | 26:56 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 33 | Vortex | 9:09 min | Orchestral | - |
| 34 | Volcano | 11:36 min | Orchestral | - |
| 35 | Concerto for piano & orchestra | 21:48 min | Concerto | - |
| 36 | Discussion on the 9th Symphony by Robert Simpson | 17:58 min | Symphony | - |
| 37 | Energy, symphonic study, for brass band | 10:07 min | Band Music | - |
| 38 | Eppur si muove, for organ | 30:55 min | Keyboard | - |
| 39 | The Four Temperaments | 22:03 min | Orchestral | - |
| 40 | Introduction and Allegro on A bass by Max Reger | 15:53 min | Orchestral | - |
| 41 | Piano Trio | 38:47 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 42 | Quintet for 2 violins, 2 violas & cello | 35:24 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 43 | Quintet for clarinet, bass clarinet & string trio | 16:45 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 44 | String Quartet No. 4 | 41:06 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 45 | String Quartet No 5 | 44:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 46 | String Quartet No 6 | 38:30 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 47 | String Quartet No 7 | 19:14 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 48 | String Quartet No 8 | 31:45 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 49 | String Quartet No 9 (32 Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Haydn) | 57:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 50 | Symphonies | Symphony | - | |
| 51 | String Trio | 13:40 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 52 | String Quartet No 11 | 25:03 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 53 | String Quartets | Chamber Music | - | |
| 54 | String Quartet No.1 | 24:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 55 | String Quartet No. 12 | 31:42 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Robert Simpson
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - The London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves – Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6(CD, Stereo) | 2021 | Lyrita Recorded Edition |
| 2 |  |
John Joubert, Robert Simpson (6), Christopher Wright (7) - Raphael Wallfisch, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales, William Boughton – British Cello Concertos(CD, Album) | 2014 | Lyrita Recorded Edition |
| 3 |  |
The Complete Symphonies | 2006 | Hyperion |
| 4 |  |
Symphony No.3 : Clarinet Quintet(CD, Album) | 2006 | NMC (3) |
| 5 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) / City Of London Sinfonia, Matthew Taylor (6) – Symphony No 11 / Variations On A Theme By Carl Nielsen(CD, Album) | 2004 | Hyperion |
| 6 |  |
Peter Racine Fricker, Robin Orr, Robert Simpson (6) – Fricker Orr Simpson Symphonies(CD, Compilation, Remastered) | 2002 | EMI Classics |
| 7 |  |
Bach · Robert Simpson (6), The Delmé String Quartet – The Art Of Fugue | 2000 | Hyperion |
| 8 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), The Element Quartet – Three String Quartets(CD, Remastered, Mono) | 1998 | Pearl |
| 9 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Corydon Singers, Corydon Brass Ensemble, Matthew Best (2), Iain Quinn – Canzona / Media Morte In Vita Sumus / Tempi / Eppur Si Muove(CD, Stereo) | 1998 | Hyperion |
| 10 |  |
Vaughan Williams • Alwyn • Jenkins • Simpson • Rubbra • Elgar / The Williams Fairey Band, James Gourlay • Bryan Hurdley – Brass From The Masters, Vol. 1(CD, Album) | 1997 | Chandos Brass |
| 11 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Delmé Quartet, Christopher Van Kampen, Thea King – String Quartet No 13 / String Quintet No 2 / Clarinet Quintet | 1997 | Hyperion |
| 12 |  |
Rawsthorne / Simpson, John Ogdon, Brenda Lucas, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Pritchard, Constantin Silvestri – Piano Concertos(CD, Compilation, Remastered) | 1996 | BBC Radio Classics |
| 13 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - Raymond Clarke (2) – The Complete Solo Piano Music(CD, Album) | 1996 | Hyperion |
| 14 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - Pauline Lowbury, Christopher Green-Armytage, The Lowbury Piano Trio – Violin Sonata • Piano Trio(CD, Album) | 1995 | Hyperion |
| 15 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley – Symphony No 3 / Symphony No 5 | 1994 | Hyperion |
| 16 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - Richard Watkins, Pauline Lowbury, Christopher Green-Armytage, Caroline Dearnley – Horn Trio; Horn Quartet(CD, Album) | 1994 | Hyperion |
| 17 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Vanbrugh Quartet, Joy Farrall, Fiona Cross – String Quartet No 14 / String Quartet No 15 / Quintet For Clarinet, Bass Clarinet And String Trio | 1993 | Hyperion |
| 18 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - Coull Quartet, Roger Bigley – String Quartet No 12 / String Quintet | 1992 | Hyperion |
| 19 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Vernon Handley – Symphony No 2 / Symphony No 4(CD, Album) | 1992 | Hyperion |
| 20 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), The Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band – Energy, Four Temperaments, Volcano, Vortex, Introduction and Allegro On A Bass By Max Reger(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1991 | Hyperion |
| 21 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley – Symphony No 10 | 1991 | Hyperion |
| 22 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Delmé Quartet – String Quartet No 2 / String Quartet No 5 | 1990 | Hyperion |
| 23 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Delmé Quartet – String Quartet No 1 / String Quartet No 4 | 1990 | Hyperion |
| 24 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Delmé Quartet – String Quartet No 3 / String Quartet No 6 / String Trio | 1990 | Hyperion |
| 25 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley – Symphony No6 / Symphony No7 | 1988 | Hyperion |
| 26 |  |
Simpson, Delmé Quartet – String Quartet No 9 | 1984 | Hyperion |
| 27 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Delmé String Quartet – String Quartet No. 7 / String Quartet No. 8 | 1984 | Hyperion |
| 28 |  |
Symphony No. 3 & Clarinet Quintet | 1979 | Unicorn Records (3) |
| 29 |  |
Robert Simpson (6) - Bernard Walton (2), Aeolian Quartet – Clarinet Quintet (1968), String Quartet (1951/52) | 1971 | Unicorn Records (3) |
| 30 |  |
Simpson - Jascha Horenstein, London Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No 3 | 1970 | Unicorn Records (3) |
| 31 |  |
Peter Racine Fricker / Robert Simpson (6) – Symphony No. 2 / Symphony No. 1(LP, Compilation, Mono) | 1966 | His Master's Voice |
| 32 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Sir Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony No.1 (1951)(LP, 10") | 1957 | His Master's Voice |
| 33 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Coull Quartet – String Quartet No. 10 (For Peace) / String Quartet No 11(CD, Reissue) | - | Hyperion |
| 34 |  |
Robert Simpson (6), Malcolm MacDonald – An Introduction To The String Quartets Of Robert Simpson.(CDr, Album) | - | Dunelm Records |
Videos featuring Robert Simpson
Robert Simpson—Horn Quartet & Horn Trio—Richard Watkins (horn)
Robert Simpson—Horn Quartet & Horn Trio—Richard Watkins (horn)
Available from Hyperion Records (Downloads - mp3, ALAC, FLAC / CD) http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66695&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube_taster
Robert Simpson (1921-19
Robert Simpson: Symphony No 6 [Groves-LPO] premiere
Robert Simpson: Symphony No 6 [Charles Groves-London Philharmonic Orchestra]. Premiere
Robert Simpson—String Quartets Nos 3 & 6 and String Trio—Delmé Quartet
Available from Hyperion Records (Downloads - mp3, ALAC, FLAC / CD) http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66376&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube_taster
Robert Simpson (1921-1997)
String Quartets Nos 3 & 6 and String Trio
Delmé Quartet
Ge
Symphony No. 4: I. Allegro moderato
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 4: I. Allegro moderato · Kensington Symphony Orchestra
KSO plays Walton, Shostakovich and Simpson
℗ 2013 Dunelm Records
Released on: 2013-04-01
Conductor: Russell Keable
Orchestra: Kensington Sy
Robert Simpson—Symphony No 11 & Variations on a theme by Nielsen–City of London Sinfonia
Available from Hyperion Records (Downloads - mp3, ALAC, FLAC / CD) http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67500&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube_taster
Robert Simpson (1921-1997)
Symphony No 11 & Variations on a theme by Nielsen
City of Lo
Symphony No. 4: II. Presto
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 4: II. Presto · Kensington Symphony Orchestra
KSO plays Walton, Shostakovich and Simpson
℗ 2013 Dunelm Records
Released on: 2013-04-01
Conductor: Russell Keable
Orchestra: Kensington Symphony Or
Robert Simpson: Symphony No 7 [Wright-RLPO] premiere
Robert Simpson: Symphony No 7 [Brian Wright-Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra]. Premiere
Symphony No. 4: III. Andante
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 4: III. Andante · Kensington Symphony Orchestra
KSO plays Walton, Shostakovich and Simpson
℗ 2013 Dunelm Records
Released on: 2013-04-01
Conductor: Russell Keable
Orchestra: Kensington Symphony
Symphony No. 4: IV. Allegro vivace
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 4: IV. Allegro vivace · Kensington Symphony Orchestra
KSO plays Walton, Shostakovich and Simpson
℗ 2013 Dunelm Records
Released on: 2013-04-01
Conductor: Russell Keable
Orchestra: Kensington Sym
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