Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 01 | The Anti-pessimist | 20210531 | 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 BBC, 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's episode, Donald explores Simpson's upbringing in the Salvation Army and how his religious beliefs changed in later life. We will hear about the composer's discovery of music huddled around the back of the family wireless, and the development in this fearless child of the attitude of `anti-pessimism`, 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 Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod explores Robert Simpson's upbringing and changing attitude toward religion. |
| 2021 | 02 | A Man Of Peace | 20210601 | 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 BBC, 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's episode, Donald examines another of Simpson's 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 - 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 `for peace` - III. Molto Adagio The Coull Quartet Symphony no. 5 - Canone II - Adagio London Symphony Orchestra Andrew Davis (conductor) Piano Sonata - III. Allegro Vivace Raymond Clarke (piano) Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod examines Robert Simpson's pacifism and his experiences during World War II. |
| 2021 | 03 | Words And Music | 20210602 | 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 BBC, 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 Wednesday's episode, Donald explores Robert Simpson's beginnings as a BBC producer and his writings on music, both roles, which Simpson used to champion composers whose music he felt was being neglected, notably Nielsen, Bruckner and Havergal Brian. We also find Simpson moving house to one where he can indulge one of his extra-musical passions - astronomy. Allegro Deciso for String Orchestra Orchestra of St. Paul's Ben Palmer (conductor) The Four Temperaments - I. Scherzo (Sanguine); II. Intermezzo Allegro (Phlegmatic) Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band James Watson (conductor) Symphony no. 3 - II. Adagio - Andante - Allegretto London Symphony Orchestra Jascha Horenstein (conductor) String Quartet no. 6 - I. Adagio The Delme String Quintet Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod discovers what Robert Simpson's writings reveal about his musical passions. |
| 2021 | 04 | Breaking From The Past | 20210603 | 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 BBC, 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 Thursday's episode, Donald examines how Simpson's principles affected his life, focusing on a period in which the composer made several breaks from the past due to his convictions, resigning from his role at the BBC, and moving to Ireland following political differences with the British government. Symphony no. 8- II. Scherzo Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Vernon Handley (conductor) Michael Tippett, His Mystery Raymond Clarke (piano) Variations on a theme by Carl Nielsen City of London Sinfonia Matthew Taylor (conductor) Eppur si muove for organ - Ricercar Iain Quinn (organ) Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod explores Robert Simpson's split with the BBC and his move from England. |
| 2021 | 05 LAST | The End Is C Sharp | 20210604 | 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 BBC, 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 the final programme of the week, Donald explores Simpson's life after his move to Ireland in 1986, a period when he seemed to grow calmer. Initially Simpson's new surroundings also prompted a torrent of new music. However, illness struck him down and both his quality of life, and his output of work badly suffered as a result. String Quartet no.13 - IV. Andante Delme String Quartet Symphony no.9 (excerpt) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Vernon Handley (conductor) Quintet for Clarinet, Bass Clarinet and String Trio - I. Adagio tranquillo Joy Farrall (clarinet), Fiona Cross (bass clarinet) The Vanbrugh Quartet Symphony 7 (excerpt) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vortex The Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band James Watson (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod explores Robert Simpson's life after his move to Ireland in 1986. |