Robert Simpson: Symphony No. 10 [Import]

Robert [Composer] Simpson (Composer), Vernon Handley (Conductor), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Vernon Handley
• Composer: Robert [Composer] Simpson
• Audio CD (November 19, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZPV
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,840 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 10: Allegro

2. Symphony No. 10: Allegro Leggiero

3. Symphony No. 10: Andante Molto Mosso

4. Symphony No. 10: Largo - Allegro Con Brio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the effort!, January 10, 2001

By 

Geoffrey Brock (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Simpson: Symphony No. 10 (Audio CD)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 20TH Century Beethoven, but no mimicry involved!, December 19, 2009

By 

Aaron Z. Snyder "Aaron Z Snyder" (CHESTNUT HILL, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Robert Simpson: Symphony No. 10 (Audio CD)

This is a CD I snapped up immediately upon its release about 15 years ago, and I wasn't disappointed. I had already been greatly impressed by Simpson's 9th, and, although this 54-minute work seemed a bit daunting by comparison, it took just a few listenings to "get it". What we have here is a modern symphony structurally based on Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata. That is, it has a strong, declarative first movement, a brief and and relatively light scherzo, a profound slow movement, followed by a fugue-to-end-all-fugues. That final movement should leave you breathless by its conclusion.
In 2001 I had the rare pleasure of meeting "Tod" Handley, and told him how much I had enjoyed his recordings of the Simpson symphonies, especially the 10th. I mentioned that I was exhausted by the end of that symphony. His response: "Believe me, we were ALL exhausted by the time we reached the end!"
Oddly, some musicologists don't think that the 10th represents Simpson's best efforts. I respectfully disagree, and strongly suggest exploring this exciting work.

4.0 out of 5 stars Grim, but still good Simpson, April 9, 2011

By 

Van L. Sauve "kirvls" (Byers, CO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Robert Simpson: Symphony No. 10 (Audio CD)

I've only listened to the Symphony twice. I'm enjoying it more each time. Still, my favorite Simpson is his Symphony 4. That has a vibrant subtle humor that I enjoy.