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Simpson: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 / Davis, London Symphony; Groves, London Philharmonic
Lyrita

Simpson: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 / Davis, London Symphony; Groves, London Philharmonic

$16.99

Details

Composer
SIMPSON, ROBERT
Artist
Davis, Groves
Format
CD
Label
Lyrita
Released
Apr 02, 2021
Catalog #
SRCD389
UPC
5020926038920

About

Robert Simpson wrote his Fifth Symphony in 1972 in response to a commission by the London Symphony Orchestra. The first performance of the symphony took place on 3 May 1973 at the Royal Festival Hall, under the direction of Andrew Davis. Another London performance took place on 29 March 1984, again in the Royal Festival Hall, with the Philharmonia, the conductor again being Andrew Davis. In both cases audience and press reception was unanimously enthusiastic. Desmond Shawe-Taylor, in a review in the Sunday Times headed “Power of Robert Simpson”, detected “some shattering personal crisis” and observed that the 4th and 5th Symphonies “compel all but the most rigidly advanced of listeners to take a closer look at this remarkable composer.” He found the Fifth “bolder, tougher and more mysterious in substance.” Simpson’s Sixth Symphony, of 1977, was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with funds provided by the Arts Council, who later sponsored the recording of the Sixth and Seventh, and also contributed to a number of later Commissions. It received its premiere performance on 8 April 1980 at the Royal Festival Hall with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir 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.”

Tracklist 7 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro 07:41
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    07:41
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  2. 2 II. Canone 1: Comodo e tranquillo 06:58
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Canone 1: Comodo e tranquillo
    Duration
    06:58
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  3. 3 III. Scherzino: Molto vivace 03:16
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Scherzino: Molto vivace
    Duration
    03:16
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  4. 4 IV. Canone 2: Adagio 05:30
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Canone 2: Adagio
    Duration
    05:30
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  5. 5 V. Finale: Molto allegro e con fuoco 15:28
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Finale: Molto allegro e con fuoco
    Duration
    15:28
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  6. 6 Part I 15:22
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part I
    Duration
    15:22
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Groves
  7. 7 Part II 17:50
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part II
    Duration
    17:50
    Composer
    Robert Simpson
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Groves