Programme (on occasion, the artists may make minor changes to the published programme)

Simpson Lov(escape) (clarinet + piano)

Simpson Barkham fantasy (solo piano)

Brahms Clarinet sonata No 2 in E flat major Op. 120

INTERVAL

Simpson Darkness Moves (solo clarinet)

Simpson Echoes and Embers (clarinet and piano)

Brahms Clarinet sonata No 1 in F minor Op. 120

Mark Simpson is an acclaimed clarinettist and composer.  He first came to public attention when he won the 2006 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition having played one of his own works in the final.  In the same year, he also won the BBC Proms / Guardian Young Composer of the Year competition.  Mark went on to become a BBC New Generation Artist after reading music at Oxford.  Mark now works with soloists and ensembles worldwide as a composer as well as maintaining his own solo career.  In his Morpeth programme, we are fortunate to be able to look forward to hearing some of his own works in addition to classic Brahms clarinet sonatas.

Mark's frequent recital partner, pianist Richard Uttley is in demand as soloist, chamber musician and recording artist.  In all of these roles, he frequently explores and champions contemporary repertoire.

'Clarinettist Mark Simpson proved to be something of a revelation in the concerto. Lindberg makes incredible demands of the soloist and if ever there were someone who could reasonably claim to be the Paganini of the Clarinet, then Simpson might be just the man.'Backtrack