h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Posted: Saturday 21 October 2006 12:14:18

Hi Carole,

Do you know his music? He was featured on CD review this morning, the 11 symphonies have been re-released as a boxed set. No 2 is on Rob Cowan tomorrow at 1130

He was reviled in the 60s/70s for being out of date because he was interested in the symphony and the SQ. But I like his music - despite that!

He was also interested in astronomy, hence all the CD covers
- see http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/composer_section.asp?start=sim&end=sin
Some of the CDs are by the BSO, so I thought you might have heard one of the symphonies at a concert.

Hello Andy.

The name Robert Simpson sounds vaguely familiar but yet again I do not know anything about him. And I have not had the radio on this morning. I am still in my nightie-but will get suitably dressed in a moment. My head is bad today, I feel very dizzy, and I have high blood pressure.

I must take a look at him because of his interest in astronomy. What does SQ mean?? Should I know??

You have obviously heard of him before today. Last night, I had my own Brahms evening. Classic FM was really lovely on Thursday evening-lots of Brahms. I very rarely listen to CFM but sometimes it is nicer than R3.And Brahms was the first composer that I fell in love with.

I like the covers on the Robert Simpson CD's.

No I haven't heard the BSO play his music(or at least I can't remember any). I've another BSO concert next Wednesday-yippee!

Posted: Saturday 21 October 2006 15:02:40

SQ = String Quartet

He's one of my favourite composers, although I can't say that his music appeals to me emotionally. I've got most of the Hyperion recordings of his music - I've even bought some of them!!! Symphony 9 and SQ 9 are 2 of the best - I've got a score for SQ 9, photocopied early one morning at British Gas (where I used to work).

Off to hear squeaky (mostly) contemporary music this eve with BCMG
http://www.bcmg.org.uk/diary.php?showid=32

Posted: Saturday 21 October 2006 15:11:13

BCMG = Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Posted: Saturday 21 October 2006 23:46:17

>>And Brahms was the first composer that I fell in love with.

Perhaps it was the beard that attracted you

Hi Andy.

I hope that you enjoyed the concert. Not quite my cup of tea but a night out anyway.

I watched a programme on BBC4 tonight.It was Shostakovich symphony 14(I think). And guess who features in it? Yep-our poet RM Rilke!! It made me laugh. And it was awful!! Maybe he was just having a bad day.

Posted: Saturday 21 October 2006 23:57:56

Yet more Rilke?

This must be more than a coincidence

BCMG concert was very good btw, it's on R3 on Monday evening

Nah Andy. Coincidences are not that great, are they!! Don't be taken in by them !!!

Did you cough during the performance, or rustle sweet papers? I shall try and remember to listen to it on Monday.

Posted: Sunday 22 October 2006 01:48:06

>>Did you cough during the performance, or rustle sweet papers?

Certainly not, what do you take me for??

You'll probably hate all of the music in the concert but have a go - then tell me you hate it.

I had to think for a moment about what you meant, but you are most probably quite right !! I do have a thing about beards. Not so sure about long, bushy ones though! I would have had to take Brahms in hand and get him to reduce the amount of facial hair! It gets in the way of all sorts of things!!

Let me give it a chance, Andy, before condemning it !!!