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 Tuesday鈥檚 episode, Donald examines another of Simpson鈥檚 moral principles: pacifism, exploring his tribunal to explain his position as a conscientious objector, and his experiences as an air raid warden during World War II 鈥� a period when music became even more important for the young composer.

Canzona for Brass
The Locke Brass Consort
James Stobart (conductor)

Symphony no.1 (excerpt)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vernon Handley (conductor)

String Quartet no. 10 鈥渇or peace鈥� - III. Molto Adagio
The Coull Quartet

Symphony no. 5 鈥� Canone II - Adagio
London Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Davis (conductor)

Piano Sonata 鈥� III. Allegro Vivace
Raymond Clarke (piano)

Producer: Sam Phillips