Mark Simpson will be the BBC Philharmonic's new composer in association, it has been announced today.
Simpson, a celebrated composer and clarinettist, will begin his role with the BBC Philharmonic in September this year, signing a contract to work with the orchestra until 2019. One of the youngest composers to be granted a formal role with a orchestra, the 26-year-old will be commissioned to write three new works and will join in with several other projects, soon to be announced.
'To be given the opportunity to develop my work and build a solid relationship with an orchestra of such calibre, over this time period, is a dream,' Simpson says. 'I can’t wait for it to begin!'
Simpson won the BBC Proms Young Composers Award at the age of 17 before going on to read music at Oxford University. He studied composition under Julian Anderson at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has since gleaned acclaim for works like A mirror fragment… and sparks, which was written for and performed at the Last Night of the Proms in 2012. He signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Boosey & Hawkes at the age of 24.
General manager of the orchestra, Simon Webb, says,'The BBC Philharmonic proudly champions great British music and Mark is one of the brightest stars of the new generation of brilliant young composers in the UK. This new role will give Mark the space and time to continue to develop his already distinctive and compelling compositional voice.'
The composer in association role is a new edition to the BBC Philharmonic and will replace the role of conductor/composer currently filled by HK Gruber.
Visit www.bbc.co.uk/philharmonic to find out more
Maisie Hillier
Photo: Kaupo Kikkas
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