大象传媒

Robert Simpson - once described as "Britain's most important composer since Vaughan Williams", and "one of the century's most powerful and original symphonists" - was a man of integrity, a champion of lesser-known composers, and a man who lived his own life by strict principles: pacifism, socialism and what he called "anti-pessimism". Over the course of this week, in Simpson's centenary year, Donald Macleod looks back at the life and work of Robert Simpson - from his childhood in the Salvation Army, to his experiences as a conscientious objector during the Second World War. He explores Simpson's writings on music and on life, and his time working at the 大象传媒, before his break from the corporation and from this country. Along the way, we'll hear from Simpson's considerable body of work, which included no fewer than 11 Symphonies and 15 String Quartets.

In Monday鈥檚 episode, Donald explores Simpson鈥檚 upbringing in the Salvation Army and how his religious beliefs changed in later life. We will hear about the composer鈥檚 discovery of music huddled around the back of the family wireless, and the development in this fearless child of the attitude of 鈥渁nti-pessimism鈥�, which would go on to play such an important role in his life.

Symphony no. 4 - II. Presto
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Vernon Handley (conductor)

In Media Morte in Vita Sumus
Corydon Singers
Corydon Brass Ensemble
Matthew Best (conductor)

Energy - IV. Allegro molto; V. Presto vivo
The Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band
James Watson (conductor)

Symphony no.6 (excerpt)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Vernon Handley (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips