Tim Horwood wrote: >Also Nielsen's influence in Simpson's First Symphony, the woodwind >reminds me of Nielsen's Fifth. Simpson's 9th is seems to one of his better >symphonies. I find though that a lot of his writing seems an exercise >more in logic using sound rather than inspired music. Anyone find his >music inspiring? I have some of Simpson's symphonies - #6,7, 9,and 10 plus some String Quartets plus the Horn Triio, so I can't be accused of not giving the man a chance. I find his music not unattractive, but generally cold - certainly it doesn't reflect the some of the warm words I have read about his music. To me, his music just doesn't 'sing' - not in the sense that it has to be tonal - I like atonal music - but it doesn't have the feeling of a spirit - or breath - behind it. As an example, the music of Alban Berg 'sings' - so does Schoenberg or Aho. Dave Harman El Paso, TX