Robert Simpson: Complete Choral and Organ Music

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Simpson would never have claimed that choral music was his métier. Yet for lovers of his music there's something especially revealing about the two pieces recorded here. In Media morte in vitasumus... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: CDA67016
Label: Hyperion
Length: 68 minutes

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Simpson, R: Canzona for brass

Work length4:58

$1.10

$1.50

Corydon Brass Ensemble
Matthew Best

Simpson, R: Media morte in vita sumus

Work length14:32

$1.10

$1.50

Corydon Singers, Corydon Brass Ensemble
Matthew Best

Simpson, R: Tempi

Work length17:49

$1.10

$1.50

Corydon Singers
Matthew Best

Simpson, R: Eppur si muove for organ

Work length30:55

$2.20

$3.00

Iain Quinn (organ)

I. Ricercar

Track length11:57

$1.10

$1.50

II. Passacaglia

Track length18:58

$1.10

$1.50

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Like Beethoven, Robert Simpson generally conceived his music instrumentally rather than vocally. He confessed to being uneasy when faced with the task of word-setting. However, both the choral works recorded here resolve the problem with originality (and, in the case of Tempi, humour), leaving no doubt that Simpson's handling of choral forces is capable of a wide expressive range and great physical impact. In media morte vita sumus ('In the midst of death we are in life') is for mixed chorus, brass and timpani. The text is Simpson's own, translated into Latin. In the composer's own words, it 'outlines a simple and practical morality without which humanity must be at lethal risk. It has nothing to do with religion, and explains itself'. The text of Tempi consists entirely of familiar Italian musical terms ('Allegro grazioso', etc) whose meanings are reflected in the music. Eppur si muove (Ricercar e Passacaglia) is Simpson's only work for organ and is cast in one enormous movement in two large sections. The title means 'But it does move' and is what Galileo is said to have muttered on being forced by the Church to recant his view that the earth revolved round the sun.

Reviews

2010

Simpson would never have claimed that choral music was his métier. Yet for lovers of his music there's something especially revealing about the two pieces recorded here. In Media morte in vitasumus ('In the midst of death we are in life') he deliberately reverses the scriptural motto in order to articulate his personal 'anti-pessimist' creed.
The musical setting for chorus, brass and timpani is appropriately austere, and Simpson's words are translated into Latin for the sake of universality.
Tempi for a cappella chorus is a jeu d'esprit, the text consisting entirely of Italian tempo and character markings. The Corydon Singers offers superbly confident performances, as does the Corydon Brass Ensemble which also shines in the comparatively well-known Canzona.
It's impossible to avoid comparisons with Nielsen when it comes to the 31-minute Eppur si muove ('But it does move') for organ. This 12-minute ricercare followed by a 19-minute passacaglia sets its jaw squarely against conventional organ-loft grandiosity. Its intellectual monumentality is clearly in the Commotio mould, though it's considerably tougher going than Nielsen's late masterpiece. Iain Quinn joins the long line of dedicated performers who have made Hyperion's Simpson series such a consistent triumph. Recording quality leaves nothing to be desired.

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