Simpson with Horenstein and Hodgson in 1970

The source for this information is the Catalogue of Works in Robert Simpson: Composer, ed. J. Schaarwächter pp 529–548.

Category: Symphonies · Other Orchestral Music · Music for Brass Band · String Quartets · Other Chamber Music · Instrumental Music · Vocal Music · Incidental Music

Symphonies

  • Symphony No. 1 (1951)  
    • Dedicated to Sir Adrian Boult
    • duration: 26′
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani – strings
    • first (broadcast) performance: Danish State Radio Symphony Orchestra/Launy Grøndahl – Danish State Radio, 11 June 1953
      first London (broadcast) performance: BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult – BBC, 24 September 1954
      first concert performance: London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult – Royal Festival Hall, London, 8 June 1956
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1956
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • With this symphony Simpson gained his Doctorate of Music at Durham University.
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Origin of the First Symphony – Harold Truscott 1/2: 11, 14–16; 1/3: 25–26
      • Symphonic Momentum and Post-tonal Dramas: Simpson’s First Symphony – Simon Phillippo (1999) 15: 13–18
      • Robert Simpson’s ‘Gothic Symphony’? – Corrected version – Lionel Pike 24: 25–43
    • Discography:
  • Symphony No. 2 (1955–56)  
    • Written for the London Chamber Orchestra and dedicated to Anthony and Mary Bernard
    • duration: 30′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons – 2 horns, 2 trumpets – timpani – strings
    • first performance: Hallé Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli – Cheltenham Town Hall, 16 July 1957 (Cheltenham Festival)
      first London performance: Philomusica of London/Robert Simpson – Victoria & Albert Museum, 11 July 1971
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1958
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Symphony No. 2. Programme note – Robert Simpson 4/1: 3
      • Simpson’s Second Symphony: The view from the archives – Lionel Pike (1989) 4/1: 4–13
      • Robert Simpson’s 2nd Symphony – an analysis – John Pickard 4/1: 15–25
      • Circles, Mirrors, and Structural Momentum in Robert Simpson’s Second Symphony – Simon Phillippo 10: 29–38
    • Discography:
  • Symphony No. 3 (1961–62)  
  • Symphony No. 4 (1971–72, part-revised 1973)  
    • Dedicated to James Loughran
    • duration: 53′, rev. 47′
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani, percussion (2 players) – strings
    • first performance: Hallé Orchestra/James Loughran – Free Trade Hall, Manchester, 26 April 1973
      first London performance: BBC Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis – Royal Festival Hall, 23 October 1974
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1973
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Symphony No. 5 (1972)  
    • Commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra
    • duration: 38′
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 tubas – timpani (2 players), percussion (2 players) – strings
    • first (broadcast) performance: London Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis – Royal Festival Hall, London, 3 May 1973
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Symphony No. 5. Programme note – Robert Simpson 2/1: 4–5
      • The Fifth Symphony. An Analytical Commentary – Paul Pellay 3/1: 8–12
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
  • Symphony No. 6 (1977)  
    • Commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and dedicated to the distinguished gynaecologist Ian Craft
    • duration: 30′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani, percussion – strings
    • first performance: London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Groves – Royal Festival Hall, London, 8 April 1980
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: Collection of Professor Ian Craft; MS (annotated photocopy): The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Sixth Symphony (1977). Programme note – Robert Simpson 3/2: 4–5
      • The Sixth Symphony – Lionel Pike 3/4: 2–12
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • Symphony No. 7 (1977)  
    • Originally written for a projected gramophone recording (which did not materialise) coupled with the Symphony No. 2 – dedicated to Milein and Hans Keller
    • duration: 28′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons – 2 horns, 2 trumpets – timpani – strings
    • first (broadcast) performance: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Brian Wright – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 3 October 1984
      first London performance: Thames Sinfonia/Matthew Taylor – St. James, Piccadilly, 24 April 1988
    • publication: Faber Music
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Seventh Symphony (1977). Programme note – Robert Simpson 3/2: 5
      • The Seventh Symphony. A conductor’s perspective – Matthew Taylor 3/4: 13–15
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • Symphony No. 8 (1981)  
    • Commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain and dedicated to Daphne and Anthony Dorrell (the painter)
    • duration: 42′
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 tubas – timpani (2 players), percussion (3 players) – strings
    • first performance: Royal Danish Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow – Royal Festival Hall, London, 10 November 1982
      first broadcast performance: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Edward Downes – BBC, 2 September 1983
    • publication: Faber Music
    • MS: (annotated photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Genesis of the Eighth Symphony. A radio discussion – Robert Simpson/Michael Oliver (1982) 2/1: 10–14
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • Symphony No. 9 (1985–87)  
    • Commissioned by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain and dedicated to Angela Simpson
    • duration: 50′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, piccolo flute, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani – strings
    • first performance: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Vernon Handley – Wessex Hall, Poole Arts Centre, Bournemouth, 8 April 1987
      first broadcast performance: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Robert Simpson – Guildhall, Southampton, 10 April 1987 (Vernon Handley was indisposed and the composer stepped in at the ‘eleventh hour’)
      first London performance: London Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Rattle – Royal Festival Hall, 12 February 1992.
    • publication: Faber Music
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Ninth Symphony (1986). Programme note – Robert Simpson 3/1: 6–7
      • The Ninth Symphony – Lionel Pike (1989) 3/2: 7–13
      • The Ninth Symphony (reprint from The Musical Times) – Stephen Johnson (1987) 3/3: 7–13
      • Ninth Symphony. A radio discussion – Robert Simpson/Gillian White (1988) 3/4: 16–20
    • Discography:
  • Symphony No. 10 (1988)  
    • Written in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society and dedicated to Vernon Handley
    • duration: 51′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, piccolo flute, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani (2 players) – strings
    • first performance: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 16 January 1991
      first London performance: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley – Royal Festival Hall, 31 January 1991
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Symphony No. 11 (1990)  
    • Written for and dedicated to Matthew Taylor after the composer had heard him conduct the first London performance of his (Simpson’s) Symphony No. 2
    • duration: 29′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons – 4 horns, 2 trumpets – timpani – strings
    • first (broadcast) performance: City of London Sinfonia/Matthew Taylor – Elgar Hall, Malvern, 23 May 1992 (Malvern Festival)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Matthew Taylor conducts Robert Simpson’s Symphonic Swansong – Martin Anderson (2004) 15: 19–22
      • Reviews: Robert Simpson, Symphony No. 11. Variations on a Theme of Nielsen. Hyperion CDA67500 – David Hurwitz, Hubert Culot, Robert Matthew-Walker, Martin Anderson 15: 23–27
    • Discography:

Other Orchestral Music

  • Allegro deciso for string orchestra (1954)  
    • duration: 11′
    • first performance: Twentieth Century Ensemble/Hans-Hubert Schönzeler – Cheltenham Town Hall, 11 July 1958 (Cheltenham Festival)
      first continental European performance: b\Beromünster Radio Symphony Orchestra/Stanley Pope – Zurich, Switzerland, 4 December 1958
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1958
    • MS: whereabouts unknown
    • This is an arrangement of the second and final movements of String Quartet No. 3.
    • Discography:
  • Violin Concerto (1957–59)  
    • duration: 41′
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons – 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani – strings
    • first performance: Ernest Element/City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult – Birmingham, 25 February 1960
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Withdrawn by the composer after the first performances.
  • Piano Concerto (1967)  
    • Commissioned by the Cheltenham Festival of Contemporary Music and dedicated to John Ogdon
    • duration: 21′
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani, percussion (2 players) – strings
    • first performance: John Ogdon/City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Hugo Rignold – Cheltenham Town Hall, 14 July 1967 (Cheltenham Festival)
      first London performance: Raymond Clarke/Royal Holloway Orchestra/Matthew Taylor – St. John’s, Smith Square, 6 March 1993
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • Variations on a theme of Carl Nielsen for orchestra (1983)  
    • duration: 26′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, piccolo flute, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani, percussion (2 players) – strings
    • first performance: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Richard Hickox – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 26 November 1986
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • from the incidental music to Ebbe Skammelsen FS 117
    • TONIC articles:
      • Reviews: Robert Simpson, Symphony No. 11. Variations on a Theme of Nielsen. Hyperion CDA67500 – David Hurwitz, Hubert Culot, Robert Matthew-Walker, Martin Anderson 15: 23–27
    • Discography:
  • Flute Concerto (1989)  
    • Commissioned by and dedicated to Susan Milan
    • duration: 29′
    • instrumentation: piccolo flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, contra-bassoon – timpani – strings
    • first (broadcast) performance: Susan Milan/City of London Sinfonia/Richard Hickox – Elgar Hall, Malvern, 24 May 1992 (Malvern Festival)
    • publication: Rosehill Music, 1991
    • MS: (score and solo part) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • This concerto was programmed with the Nielsen Flute Concerto. Simpson, in fact, wrote the concerto with the same pencil Nielsen used for his: it had been presented to Simpson by Nielsen’s daughter.
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • Violoncello Concerto (1991)  
    • Commissioned by and written for Raphael Wallfisch
    • duration: 23′
    • instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons – 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones – timpani – strings
    • first (broadcast) performance: Raphael Wallfisch/BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra/Vernon Handley – Elgar Hall, Malvern, 17 May 1992 (Malvern Festival)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: (score and solo part) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • Variations and Fugue on a theme of J. S. Bach for string orchestra (1991)  
    • duration: 27′
    • first (broadcast) performance: Goldberg Chamber Orchestra/Matthew Taylor – Elgar Hall, Malvern, 3 June 1995 (Malvern Festival)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • from the Sarabande from Bach’s Fifth Cello Suite
  • Concerto for Violoncello, Piano and Orchestra  
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • unfinished

Music for Brass Band

  • Canzona – for brass (1958)  
    • Commissioned by the BBC
    • duration: 5′
    • instrumentation: 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba
    • first broadcast performance: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble – BBC Overseas Service, 27 March 1958
      first concert performance: Wind Music Society/Bryan Fairfax – Cecil Sharp House, London, 15 June 1958
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1958
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Energy – symphonic study (1971)  
  • Volcano – symphonic study (1979)  
    • Test piece for the 1979 National Brass Band Championship and dedicated to Edmund Rubbra
    • duration: 12′
    • first performance: Black Dyke Mills Band/Major Peter Parkes – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 October 1979 (National Brass Band Championship Festival Concert)
    • publication: Rosehill Music, 1979
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
    • Media:
  • The Four Temperaments: Suite (1982)  
    • Commissioned by the Yorkshire Imperial (Metals) Band
    • duration: 22′
    • first performance: Yorkshire Imperial Band/John Pryce-Jones – Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley, Yorkshire, 15 October 1982
      first broadcast performance: Yorkshire Imperial Band/John Pryce-Jones – 6 March 1983 (recorded in BBC’s Manchester Studios, 24 October 1982)
    • publication: Rosehill Music, 1982
    • MS: (photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
    • Discography:
  • Introduction and Allegro on a bass by Max Reger (1986–87)  
    • duration: 16′
    • first performance: Desford Colliery Dowty Band/Torgny Hansen – Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, 27 February 1988
      ?first broadcast performance: National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain – BBC, 24 September 1990
    • publication: Rosehill Music, 1987
    • MS: (photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • from the fugue of Max Reger’s Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, op. 135b
    • TONIC articles:
      • New Simpson Masterwork. [Introduction and Allegro on a Bass by Max Reger] – Eric Wilson (1988) 3/2: 17–19
    • Discography:
  • Vortex – for brass (1989)  
    • duration: 9′
    • first performance: IMI Yorkshire Imperial Band/Geoffrey Brand – Leeds Town Hall, 6 July 1990 (Leeds Music Festival)
      first broadcast performance: Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band/James Watson – BBC, 17 May 1991 (BBC Festival of Brass)
    • publication: Rosehill Music, 1989
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • The Four Temperaments: Suite – version for orchestral brass  
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: whereabouts unknown
    • Simpson re-scored this work for orchestral brass at the suggestion of the conductor, Howard Snell, for performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
    • TONIC articles:

String Quartets

  • String Quartet in D (1945)  
    • unperformed
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: Durham University Library, University Archives and Special Collections, Music Exercise no. 609
    • Simpson’s Bachelor of Music examination exercise at Durham University
  • String Quartet No. 1 (1951–52)  
    • Dedicated to Georges Enescu
    • duration: 25′
    • first performance: Element Quartet – Birmingham, 30 March 1953
      first London performance: Element Quartet – Arts Council Drawing Room, 11 February 1955
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1954
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Simpson’s String Quartet No. 1 – An Analysis – Lionel Pike 7: 13–27
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 2 (1953)  
    • Dedicated to the Element Quartet
    • duration: 15′
    • first performance: Element Quartet – Birmingham, 11 June 1954
      first London performance: Element Quartet – Arts Council Drawing Room, 11 February 1955
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1956
    • MS: whereabouts unknown
    • TONIC articles:
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 3 (1953–54)  
    • Dedicated to Dorothy Hemming
    • duration: 20′
    • first performance: Element Quartet – Arts Council Drawing Room, London, 11 February 1955
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1957
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 4 (1973)  
    • Dedicated to Basil Lam
    • duration: 41′
    • first broadcast performance: Gabrieli Quartet – BBC, 27 January 1980 (recorded 6 November 1978)
      first concert performance: Gabrieli Quartet – Wigmore Hall, London, 12 March 1980
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: (photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Simpson’s Rasumovsky Quartets. An Introduction – Lionel Pike 1/4: 8–10
      • Simpson’s Rasumovskys. Three discussions on the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth String Quartets – Malcolm MacDonald/Robert Simpson 1/4: 11–16; 2/1: 15; 3/1: 18–25; 3/4: 21–27
      • Robert Simpson’s String Quartets Nos. 4, 5, & 6 and their Relationship to Beethoven’s Opus 59 ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets – Simon Phillippo 8: 7–23
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 5 (1974)  
    • Dedicated to Angela Musgrave
    • duration: 44′
    • first broadcast performance: Gabrieli Quartet – BBC, 15 December 1977
      first concert performance: Gabrieli Quartet – Wigmore Hall, London, 2 April 1980
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Simpson’s Rasumovsky Quartets. An Introduction – Lionel Pike 1/4: 8–10
      • Simpson’s Rasumovskys. Three discussions on the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth String Quartets – Malcolm MacDonald/Robert Simpson 1/4: 11–16; 2/1: 15; 3/1: 18–25; 3/4: 21–27
      • Robert Simpson’s String Quartets Nos. 4, 5, & 6 and their Relationship to Beethoven’s Opus 59 ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets – Simon Phillippo 8: 7–23
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 6 (1975)  
    • Dedicated to Jamila and Barrie Gavin
    • duration: 38′
    • first broadcast performance: Gabrieli Quartet – BBC, 10 February 1980
      first concert performance: Gabrieli Quartet – Wigmore Hall, London, March/April 1980
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Canon in Robert Simpson’s Sixth Quartet – Lionel Pike 1/3: 17–18
      • Simpson’s Rasumovsky Quartets. An Introduction – Lionel Pike 1/4: 8–10
      • Simpson’s Rasumovskys. Three discussions on the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth String Quartets – Malcolm MacDonald/Robert Simpson 1/4: 11–16; 2/1: 15; 3/1: 18–25; 3/4: 21–27
      • Robert Simpson’s String Quartets Nos. 4, 5, & 6 and their Relationship to Beethoven’s Opus 59 ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets – Simon Phillippo 8: 7–23
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 7 (1977)  
    • Commissioned by Susi Jeans for the centenary of the Astronomer Sir James Jeans F.R.A.S. and dedicated to Susi Jeans
    • duration: 19′
    • first private performance: Gabrieli Quartet – Cleveland Lodge (Lady Jeans’s home), Dorking, Surrey, 11 September 1977 (during a concert celebrating the centenary)
      first broadcast performance: Gabrieli Quartet – BBC, 23 September 1977
      first public performance: Gabrieli Quartet – University of Essex, February 1981
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: Susi Jeans Collection, MS Mus. Ms 94
    • TONIC articles:
      • An Astronomical Quartet [No. 7]: a lesson from Robert Simpson – Lionel Pike 4/2: 2–17
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 8 (1979)  
    • Commissioned by Brunel Philharmonic Society with funds provided by the G.L.A.A. and dedicated to Irena and David Gillett, Professor of Biological Sciences at Brunel University
    • duration: 31′
    • first performance: Delmé Quartet – Brunel University, Uxbridge, 21 June 1980
    • publication: Faber Music
    • MS: (photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Eighth Quartet – RS’s ‘New Way’ (reprint from Tempo) – Lionel Pike (1985) 3/3: 15–29
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 9 (32 Variations and Fugue on a theme by Haydn) (1982)  
    • Commissioned by the Delmé String Quartet for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Haydn and the 20th anniversary of the Delmé Quartet, and dedicated to the Delmé Quartet “in affection and admiration”
    • duration: 56′
    • first (broadcast) performance: Delmé Quartet – Wigmore Hall, London, 6 October 1982
    • publication: Faber Music
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • (from the Minuet from the Symphony in G major Hob. I:47 – the same theme as used in the Variations and Finale for piano solo)
    • TONIC articles:
      • String Quartet No. 9. A review (reprint from The Sunday Times) – David Cairns (1982) 2/1: 16–17
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 10 “For Peace” (1983)  
    • Commissioned by the Coull String Quartet for their tenth anniversay celebrations in 1984
    • duration: 27′
    • first performance: Coull String Quartet – Hazlemere, Bucks., 22 September 1984 (at a concert in aid of the Peace movement)
      first London performance: Coull String Quartet – Wigmore Hall, 26 September 1984
    • publication: Roberton
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 11 (1984)  
    • Commissioned by Alfreton Adult Education Centre, Derbyshire and dedicated to Michael George
    • duration: 25′
    • first performance: Coull String Quartet – Alfreton Hall, Derbyshire, 30 March 1985
      first London performance: Coull String Quartet – Imperial College, 16 January 1986
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 12 (1987)  
    • Commissioned by the Nottingham Festival and dedicated to Lionel Pike
    • duration: 31′
    • first performance: Coull String Quartet – Newstead Abbey, 6 June 1988 (Nottingham Festival)
      first London performance: Coull String Quartet – Wigmore Hall, 9 March 1991 (Robert Simpson’s 70th Birthday Concert)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Twelfth Quartet (1987). Programme note – Robert Simpson 3/3: 14
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 13 (1989)  
    • Commissioned by the Cardiff Festival and dedicated to Graham and Alex Melville-Mason
    • duration: 18′
    • first performance: Delmé Quartet – Cardiff, 2 October 1990 (Cardiff Festival)
      first London performance: Vellinger Quartet – Purcell Room, 13 July 1991
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • String Quartet No. 14 (1990)  
    • Commissioned by and written for the R.T.E. Vanbrugh Quartet, dedicated to John Young
    • duration: 30′
    • first (broadcast) performance: Vanbrugh Quartet – Bank of Ireland, Dublin, 14 May 1991
      first London performance: Vanbrugh Quartet – Ranger’s House, Blackheath, 25 May 1991
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
      • String Quartets Nos 14 & 15 and Quintet for clarinets & string trio Hyperion CDA66626
  • String Quartet No. 15 (1991)  
    • Written for and dedicated to the Vanbrugh Quartet
    • duration: 18′
    • first performance: Vanbrugh Quartet – The Downs School, Colwall, 22 May 1992 (Malvern Festival)
      first broadcast performance: Vanbrugh Quartet – BBC, 26 July 1992
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
      • String Quartets Nos 14 & 15 and Quintet for clarinets & string trio Hyperion CDA66626
  • String Quartet No. 16 (1996–)  
    • MS: (computer typescript only) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • unfinished
  • Bach’s The Art of Fugue – Contrapunctus 1–14 arr. for string quartet  
    • duration: 75′
    • first performance: Delmé Quartet, 1980?
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: Delmé Quartet
    • Contrapunctus 14, which had remained unfinished by Bach, is used as elaborated by Donald Francis Tovey
    • TONIC articles:
      • The Art of Fugue (1964/1980) – Robert Simpson 18: 12–15
    • Discography:

Other Chamber Music

  • Variations and Fugue for recorder and string quartet (1959)  
    • Written in memory of Horace Dann
    • duration: 13′
    • first (broadcast) performance: Carl Dolmetsch/Martin String Quartet – Wigmore Hall, London, 9 February 1959
    • publication: Peacock Press (2010), Ed. John Turner
    • MS: (parts) Dolmetsch Archive, Haslemere
    • TONIC articles:
      • Variations and Fugue for recorder and string quartet – John Turner 20: 5–7
    • Discography:
  • Trio for clarinet, cello and piano (1967)  
    • Commissioned by Gervase de Peyer
    • duration: 24′
    • first performance: Gervase de Peyer/William Pleeth/Peter Wallfisch – Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 18 June 1968
      first broadcast performance: Music Group of London: Bernard Walton/Eileen Croxford/David Parkhouse – 2 December 1968
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
  • Clarinet Quintet (1968)  
    • duration: 32′
    • instrumentation: clarinet, string quartet
    • first performance: Melos Ensemble – BBC, 30 January 1969
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Quartet for horn, violin, cello and piano (1976)  
    • Commissioned by and written for the Music Group of London to play on their foreign tour
    • duration: 31′
    • first performance: Alan Civil/Music Group of London: Hugh Bean/Eileen Croxford/David Parkhouse – Hong Kong c1976
      first broadcast performance: Alan Civil/Music Group of London: Hugh Bean/Eileen Croxford/David Parkhouse – BBC, 2 December 1976
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Sonata for two pianos (1980, rev. 1990)  
    • Written for Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir
    • duration: 26′
    • first broadcast performance: Bracha Eden/Alexander Tamir – BBC, 6 January 1982 (recorded at BBC’s Birmingham Studios, 2 December 1981)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: (both versions, 2nd only in photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
  • Quintet for clarinets and strings (1981)  
    • Written for and dedicated to Gerald Drucker
    • duration: 17′
    • instrumentation: clarinet, bass clarinet, 3 double-basses; alternative instrumentation: clarinet, bass clarinet, string trio
    • first performance: Jack Brymer/Stephen Trier/members of the London Double-Bass Ensemble – Wigmore Hall, London, 27 April 1981
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: (both versions) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
      • String Quartets Nos 14 & 15 and Quintet for clarinets & string trio Hyperion CDA66626
  • Trio for horn, violin and piano (1984)  
    • Commissioned by the Festival Trio of London.
    • duration: 18′
    • first performance: Festival Trio of London – University of Essex, 8 May 1985
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Violin Sonata (1984)  
    • Commissioned by and dedicated to Pauline Lowbury
    • duration: 27′
    • first private performance: Pauline Lowbury/Christopher Green-Armytage – Baptist Church, South Croydon, 4 January 1986 (in conjunction with St. Augustine’s Arts Society)
      first public performance: Pauline Lowbury/Christopher Green-Armytage – Wigmore Hall, London, 3 February 1986
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • String Trio (Prelude, Adagio and Fugue) (1987)  
    • Dedicated to Jillian White (BBC Bristol)
    • duration: 14′
    • instrumentation: violin, viola, violoncello
    • first performance: 5 October 1989 (BBC Bristol Lunchtime Concert)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • String Quintet No. 1 (1987)  
    • duration: 34′
    • instrumentation: string quartet, viola
    • first performance: Coull String Quartet/Roger Bigley – St. John’s, Smith Square, London, 17 April 1989
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Piano Trio (1988–89)  
    • Commissioned by the Da Vinci Ensemble
    • duration: 38′
    • instrumentation: violin, violoncello, piano
    • first performance: Da Vinci Ensemble – University of Southampton, 13 February 1990
      first London performance: Lowbury Piano Trio – Wigmore Hall, 13 September 1993
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:
  • Brass Quintet (1989)  
    • Commissioned by the Cambrian Brass Quintet with funds from the Holst Foundation and dedicated to Peter and Nancy Keane
    • duration: 17′
    • instrumentation: 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba
    • first performance: Cambrian Brass Quintet – Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham, 19 July 1990 (Cheltenham Festival)
      first London performance: Albion Brass Consort – Purcell Room, 10 January 1992 (Park Lane Group – Young Artists Series)
    • publication: Rosehill Music, 1989
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
  • String Quintet No. 2 (1991–95)  
    • Written for the Maggini Quartet and planned for performance at the 1992 Malvern Festival. However the composer suffered a paralysing stroke in September 1991 and the work was not finally completed until 31 October 1995.
    • duration: 15′
    • instrumentation: string quartet, violoncello
    • first performance: Maggini Quartet (augmented) – Cheltenham, 11 July 1996 (Cheltenham Festival)
      first broadcast performance: Maggini Quartet (augmented) – BBC, 20 January 1997
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • TONIC articles:
      • Robert Simpson Lecture, Wigmore Hall – Malcolm MacDonald (2000) 15: 3–12
    • Discography:
  • Carl Nielsen: Commotio Op. 58, arr. for piano four hands  
    • duration: 21′
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738

Instrumental Music

  • Piano Sonata (1946)  
    • Written for Harold Truscott and dedicated to the composer’s first wife, Bessie Fraser
    • duration: 22′
    • first performance: Harold Truscott – London, 1947 (Exploratory Concerts Society)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1959
    • MS: (photocopy) The Harold Truscott Estate
    • TONIC articles:
    • Discography:
  • Variations and Finale on a theme of Haydn for piano (1948)  
    • Dedicated to Harold Truscott
    • duration: 22′
    • first broadcast performance: Lamar Crowson – BBC, 14 December 1955
      first concert performance: (?) Eric Parkin – Arts Council Drawing Room, 23 January 1959 (Macnaghten Concert)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick, 1956
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • from the Minuet from the Symphony in G major Hob. I:47
    • TONIC articles:
      • Two Early Piano Works – Brian Duke 1/1: 13–15
      • Towards a Study of Musical Motion: Robert Simpson’s Variations and Finale on a Theme of Haydn (reprint from The Music Review) – Lionel Pike 7: 3–12
    • Discography:
  • Michael Tippett, his mystery for piano (1984)  
    • Written for a Tippett symposium
    • duration: 1′30
    • first performance: Raymond Clarke – Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, 23 January 1993 (Robert Simpson Society Concert)
    • publication: in the book Michael Tippett, O.M., A Celebration ed. Geraint Lewis. Baton Press Pub. 1985
    • Discography:
  • Eppur si muove – Ricercar e Passacaglia for organ (1985)  
    • Written for the Danish organist Svend Aage Spange and dedicated to Annalise and Svend Aage Spange.
    • duration: 31′
    • first performance: Christopher Bowers-Broadbent – Marylebone Parish Church, London, 25 May 1988
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • the phrase Galileo is said to have muttered after the Church authorities had forced him to recant on his insistence that the Earth moved round the Sun
    • TONIC articles:
      • A Study in Cosmic Motion: Robert Simpson’s Eppur si Muove – Lionel Pike 8: 3–6
      • Eppur si muove. A glimpse into Robert Simpson’s workshop – Lionel Pike 25: 7–16
    • Discography:
  • Variations and Finale on a theme by Beethoven for piano (1990)  
    • Written for and dedicated to Raymond Clarke (after Simpson had heard “an impressive performance by him of Beethoven’s Op. 111”)
    • duration: 18′
    • first performance: Raymond Clarke – Purcell Room, London, 11 September 1991 (Robert Simpson Society Concert)
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • from the Bagatelle in G minor WoO 61a
    • Discography:

Vocal Music

  • Trocknet nicht, Tränen – solo song (23 December 1942)  
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • text by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (“Wonnen der Wehmut”)
  • The Cherry Tree – song for high voice and piano (1946?)  
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: (photocopy) The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • text by A. E. Housman (“Loveliest of trees”)
  • Media morte in vita sumus – motet for SATB chorus, brass and timpani (1975)  
    • Dedicated to Charles Pope
    • duration: 14′30
    • instrumentation: 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones – timpani
    • first performance: Aylesbury Choral Society/Charles Pope – Aylesbury, Bucks, 3 April 1976
    • publication: Alfred Lengnick
    • MS: whereabouts unknown
    • (‘In the midst of death we are in life’) text by Robert Simpson, translated into Latin by David Nightingale
    • Discography:
  • Tempi – for unaccompanied SATB chorus (1987)  
    • duration: 17′30
    • first performance: Cork, 28 April 1988
    • publication: Roberton
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • Discography:

Incidental Music

  • The Pretenders (1965)  
    • Commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
    • instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon – 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba – timpani, side drum
    • first broadcast performance: CBC, 1966
      first British performance: (Entr’acte only) BBC, 18 April 1971
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • [Henrik Ibsen]
  • Samson Agonistes (1974)  
    • Written for the Chalfont St. Giles Festival in honour of the Tercentenary of Milton’s birth
    • instrumentation: brass ensemble
    • first performance: Kneller Hall Brass Players – Chalfont St. Giles, November 1974 (Tercentenary Festival Concert); producer: Basil Ashmore
    • publication: unpublished
    • MS: The British Library, London: MS Mus. 1738
    • [John Milton, adapted by Basil Ashmore]