★★★★☆
When Mark Simpson was approached to compose a large-scale work for orchestra, the first idea he had was to write a violin concerto for Nicola Benedetti, his friend and fellow winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra was one of the piece’s co-commissioners and they’ve tried to perform it twice before. The first time was cancelled due to lockdown, the second due to injury, but they finally managed to give the piece its Scottish premiere this weekend with Benedetti as soloist. Third time’s a charm, because the piece is a winner.
The most remarkable thing about Simpson’s concerto is the terrific assurance with which he handles the orchestra. His piece is a constantly shifting soundscape of textures, with
