Nicholas Simpson, the composer, initially studied law and played guitar in rock bands before pursuing music, studying with John Tavener at Trinity College of Music.
Compositional Technique
The "Little Suite" is an arrangement for strings of a three-movement choral piece by Nicholas Simpson, originally setting words by Kathleen Raine.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Nicholas Simpson titled his piece "Bachianas Mancuniensis" as an "entertainment," drawing a parallel to Villa Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras, but for Manchester's football-obsessed culture.
Composition History
The piece "He Was Despised" was conceived after the composer, Nicholas Simpson, experienced a professional setback, leading him to humorously compare his suffering to Handel's Messiah aria.
Composer Biography
Nicholas Simpson practiced as a criminal lawyer in London in the 1990s before quitting to become a professional musician upon moving back to Manchester in 1998.
Performer Biography
Huw Wiggin, the soprano saxophonist on this album, was named 'Commonwealth Musician of the Year' at the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition in 2014.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at The Stoller Hall, Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, on March 21st and 22nd, 2022.
