Symphony No. 7

Robert Simpson composed his Seventh Symphony in 1977, the same year he completed his Sixth Symphony. Composition was begun 26 September and concluded 23 October in Chearsley. The work is dedicated to Hans Keller and his wife, Milein Keller, and was first performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brian Wright at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool on 30 October 1984. It is a one-movement work of approximately 28 minutes duration, and since its first performance it has become one of Simpson's most frequently heard symphonies. Structure The work is structured in one continuous movement, albeit in three distinct sections. The first of these takes up over half the symphony in duration and begins ‘Sostenuto, marcato’, gradually quickening in tempo until a fugato marked ‘Intensivo’ is reached. The second section is a tranquil adagio, which gives way to the third and final part: a tempestuous Allegro finale. Instrumentation