Robert Simpson (1921-1997) was a composer whose thinking was sometimes alarmingly uncompromising. In times when "avant-garde" forms were considered to be of central importance to the progress of music, he continued his beliefs of a continuous tradition unwaveringly. He was undoubtedly one of the core figures in the creation of both symphonies and string quartets during the second half of the 20th century, andhis uvre still offers ample opportunity for musicians, audience, and scholars alike to uncover hitherto hardly known treasures. The present book offers contributions by some of the most eminent Simpsonians, including Ed Green, Hans Keller, Malcolm MacDonald, John McCabe, Simon Phillippo, John Pickard, Lionel Pike, Martin Ratcliffe, Jurgen Schaarwachter, and Harold Truscott. In their various approaches they cover most areas of Robert Simpson s compositional activities, with special focus on some of the Symphonies and String Quartets."