I am writing this having just listened to the 5th Symphony (RPO - Handley)
and can't make up my mind about this dramatic, almost sub-Mahlerian 'film'
music which would have done something along the lines of 'War and Peace'
or 'Ivan the Terrible' proud. It's either brilliant or IMHO, as a lot of
music in this genre, a bit of a curate's egg. I would also be interested
in how the style compares to that of Havergal Brian who, I think, dedicated
one on his later symphonies to Simpson. I bet there are some experts out
there who could give a considered opinion.
Ray Stamford, Cambridge, England