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News

Coco Simon
Mar 2024

Janáček Violin Sonata

My new video of the wonderful Janáček Violin Sonata with Coco Tomita is now available to watch on YouTube!
Rachmaninoff in Japan
Mar 2024

Rachmaninoff in Japan

I’m really pleased and excited to see that our Rachmaninoff Symphony arrangement is to get a performance in Japan on 16 March, by pianists Akira Naito and Yusuke Murakami!
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Mar 2024

The first review is in!

Danza GayaI was so pleased to receive this lovely review from Textura for my new album with Hiro Takenouchi, Danza Gaya!
March 2024 Concerts Instagram
Mar 2024

March 2024 Concerts

March is going to be an extremely busy but also exciting month! 3 fabulous concertos and some exquisite chamber music with lovely colleagues. Hope to see you there!
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Feb 2024

New Videos with Coco Tomita

It was super fun to spend a couple of hours Conway Hall last week with Coco Tomita making some new videos! Here are some 'behind the scenes' pics taken by Kan Tomita... We look forward to sharing the fruits of our labour with you soon...
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Great MemoriesFeb 2024

Two Weeks Since Wigmore Hall Recital

I can’t believe my Wigmore Hall recital was already two weeks ago! I was delighted with this review by Robert Hugill, and by all the lovely comments especially from those who enjoyed Cyril Scott’s Sonata! Quite a long piece to get one’s head around, but full of beauty, virtuosity and drama. I hope to play it again soon!
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Feb 2024

New Spotify Single!

A few weeks ago, I was honoured to perform Cyril Scott’s First Piano Sonata on the Wigmore Hall stage - the very place it received its premiere almost 115 years ago!
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Feb 2024

Wigmore Hall Recital

Thank you to everyone who came!Thank you so much to everyone who came to my recital yesterday at Wigmore Hall! It was a joy to be able to present Cyril Scott’s monumental First Piano Sonata alongside music of his contemporaries, especially to such a warm, receptive and enthusiastic audience. It was really touching too, to see so many wonderful friends there. A concert experience that I won’t get over for quite some time!
2024 Radio Belgrade
Jan 2024

Album featured on Radio Belgrade

Accordion and Piano with Miloš MilivojevićIt was nice to hear that my Saint-Saëns, Guilmant and Franck album (on Nimbus) with Milos was featured on Radio Belgrade 3 recently! You can read the article here, and find out more about the release on my CD page.
February 2024 Concerts Instagram
Jan 2024

February 2024 Concerts

I’d really love to see you at some of these performances in February! An exciting month ahead - for full details please see my schedule page.
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Jan 2024

Brahms 2 Debut!

My first performance of a masterpieceLast Saturday I had a great time playing Brahms’ 2nd Piano Concerto with my friends at the Colchester Symphony Orchestra - my first performance of this great work - and certainly not the last! I can’t wait to play it again!!
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Jan 2024

Schumann with the Carducci Quartet

A lovely review for a sold-out concertLast Sunday I returned to Shrewsbury School, for a wonderful sold-out concert with my dear friends, the Carducci Quartet. I was really pleased to receive this lovely review from Simon Cousins!
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Jan 2024

January Concerts

Some dates for your diariesHappy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I’m feeling well-rested and looking forward to some fantastic concerts in 2024. Do let me know if you’re planning to come along - it would be great to see you there!
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Greatest ShowstoppersDec 2023

Parish Alvars on BBC Radio3

So pleased to see that Elias Parish Alvars has been featured on Composer of the Week, as part of their series, ‘Greatest Showstoppers’! If you didn’t catch the episode earlier this week, you can listen back until 26 Jan on BBC iPlayer. I really enjoyed getting to know his music with Clíodna Shanahan when we made our recording for Lyrita in 2021, and you can hear our recording of the ‘Grand Duo on Linda di Chamonix’ from c. 17m. It’s a funny, dramatic, virtuosic piece and I’d love to know what you think!
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Dec 2023

Coke Concertos set for release on Spotify!

My first Hyperion recording available for streaming26 January 2024 will see the release on Spotify of my first album for Hyperion, of Roger Sacheverell Coke’s Piano Concertos. Recorded in 2016 with Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the project was truly a labour of love: as well as creating new scores and parts from Coke’s manuscripts, I also went on to do my PhD on the composer and made further recordings on SOMM and Lyrita.
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VideoDec 2023

Schubert with Rowan Atkinson

One year on from a very memorable performanceI can’t believe it’s already been a year since our performance at the Highgate Festival 2022, raising money for Food Bank Aid. Ben Gilmore, Ashok Klouda and I performed Schubert’s glorious B flat trio, each movement of which was interspersed with readings about Schubert’s life and music, read impeccably by Rowan Atkinson CBE. You can watch a snippet from this performance below!
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Wigmore Hall RecitalDec 2023

Please join me at Wigmore Hall on 3 Feb!

Cyril Scott's First Sonata in ContextCyril Scott was a pianist-composer with a strong link to Wigmore Hall. He premiered his First Sonata Op. 66 at Bechstein Hall on 17 May 1909. The programme for my Wigmore Hall recital on 3 February 2024 sets this large-scale 20th century piano sonata in the context of composers who influenced and were admired by Scott.
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InterviewFeb 2023

Presto Classical Feature

A new interview, delving into the background and music of this fascinating composer.I was delighted to talk to Presto Classical's Katherine Cooper about Carl Reinecke!
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Record ReviewJan 2023

Reinecke on Radio 3 'Record Review

It was an honour to be included in Andrew McGregor's round-up of new releases!I've been so pleased with the reception of my new Hyperion album since its release on 6 Jan. You can hear the beautiful slow movement from Reinecke's first piano concerto on this broadcast, as well as some lovely comments from Andrew McGregor.
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CompetitionJan 2023

The Clements Prize 2023

Conway Hall's bi-annual prize for composersConway Hall Sunday Concerts is pleased to invite young composers to submit a work for piano trio to The Clements Prize 2023. Up to 8 submissions will be selected, and will be performed by the Fidelio Trio at the final round in Conway Hall’s Main Hall at 6.30pm on 5 November 2023.
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BroadcastOct 2022

Coke on Radio3

A chance to revisit Coke's Preludes on his 110th birthdayIt was very kind of the BBC Philharmonic and BBC Radio3 to broadcast my recording of Roger Sacheverell Coke's Preludes during the interval of their wonderful concert in Nottingham last night!
Cervo Chamber Music
AnnouncementMay 2022

Cervo Chamber Music 2022

The return of Cervo Chamber Music after a long break!I'm so pleased to share the news that the programme for Cervo Chamber Music 2022 has been announced! Please visit my schedule page for more information.
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New RecordingJan 2022

Schubert Duets on Nimbus

Now available!A new recording, born as a natural 'lockdown project' for me and my dear friend Adrian Farmer, in whose home I lived for quite some time during covid-19! I feel very lucky to have made several new albums during this time and the opportunity to record these two masterpieces was very special indeed!
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PlaylistOct 2021

Playlist by Nimbus Records

A new playlist for your delectation!Thanks so much to Nimbus Records for creating this new playlist, featuring some of my tracks from albums on their label as well as on Lyrita and SOMM.
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New AlbumOct 2021

Holbrooke Late Piano Works

Released on Lyrita this month!The music on this album dates from the composer’s later years, and are largely based on themes from his earlier successes. The inspiration for Holbrooke’s music was almost always literary; hence, the large number of symphonic poems and pieces with literary titles or subtitles in his work list.
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Back in the Studio!Jul 2021

A New Recording

With Martyn Brabbins and the BBC National Orchestra of WalesI'm so excited to have spent the last two days at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, making an eclectic new recording for Lyrita. The programme includes pieces for piano and small orchestra by Elizabeth Maconchy, Edmund Rubbra, Arthur Benjamin, Geoffrey Bush, Humphrey Searle and John Addison - and I was joined by the 'dream team' - Martyn Brabbins and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
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ChatMay 2021

Chat with Fenella Humphreys

A lovely catch-up to start the Bank Holiday weekendI had a lovely time on Saturday morning, chatting with violinist Fenella Humphreys about recording, performing, coronavirus and lots more! It’s such a pleasure to be able to share these insights with my Patreon supporters - you can find out more here >
Conway Hall March 2021
livestreamMar 2021

Conway Hall Recital

A special concert in a beautiful hallThank you so much to everyone who tuned in to watch my live-streamed concert from Conway Hall yesterday! It was certainly sad to be in that beautiful hall without the audience, but I really enjoyed playing and it was so nice to receive lots of lovely messages afterwards! Hopefully it won't be long before we are able to welcome an audience again - in fact if all goes well, we'll be able to do just that for the final concert of our season, given by the Oculi Ensemble on 30 May. There are three more live-streamed concerts between now and then though, so please continue to support Conway Hall. It really helps!
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competitionDec 2020

The Clements Prize

The re-launch of an historic competitionNext year at Conway Hall, we are proud to announce the re-launch of The Clements Prize for Composers, which will appeal to young composers to write a new work for string trio and which will coincide with a special exhibition of scores from the Conway Hall Archive.
Scala Radio
articleDec 2020

Scala Radio

Talking about our new releaseTalking a little about 'Babar', the book that inspired it and what it was like to record it
Gallery - Piatti and Simon
new seasonDec 2020

Spring 2021 at Conway Hall

Presenting a limited series of concerts via YouTube Live and - subject to government guidance - a physical audienceSimon's introduction to the season:
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VideoDec 2020

Christmas Dawn

A new piece by Richard BlackfordIt was lovely to spend the day a few weeks ago with wonderful composer Richard Blackford, recording a beautiful new piece he wrote for Christmas.
David Taylor Podcast
POdcastNov 2020

David Taylor Podcast

Catching up on all the latest news!It was so fun to chat with David Taylor last week, about two recent recordings and lots of other news! David and I first met at the Ingenium Summer Academy some 8 years ago, and we also worked together on his Yorkshire Youth Sinfonia project. He has a really exciting career now as a music marketing entrepreneur, and I really enjoyed being part of his podcast.
Raphael Wallfisch
recordingNov 2020

Recording with Raphael Wallfisch

Myaskovsky, Lyadov & Rimsky-KorsakovI spent two glorious days with cellist Raphael Wallfisch last week, recording Myaskovsky’s two cello sonatas along with shorter pieces by Lyadov and Rimsky-Korsakov for the German label, CPO. The disc will be released next year along with Raphael’s recording of Myaskovsky’s cello concerto.
George Dyson
Blog postOct 2020

Dyson on Gramophone

A view on Dyson's piano musicIt is always a pleasure to approach a well-known composer from a new angle. I think it is reasonable to observe that the piano music of Sir George Dyson (1883-1964) has been overshadowed by his choral and orchestral works in concert and on recordings. Many of my musical colleagues were surprised to hear of the existence of any works for piano, let alone more than enough to occupy a full disc! The moment for a complete survey of Dyson’s piano works is long overdue and my own discovery of his music has been an exciting journey...
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CD RELEASE DATEOct 2020

The Story of Babar

An exciting collaboration to kick off a big project6 November will see the release of this new CD, of which I'm really proud. Miriam was our first choice of narrator for 'Babar', and to say that I'm delighted to have worked with her is truly an understatement. Of course she needs no introduction, and it is unsurprising that her rendition of Babar is exquisite! In 2021 I will record a lot more Poulenc for Nimbus Records and I cannot think of a better way to begin this wonderful project!
Arnold Rosner
RecordingOct 2020

American Recording

Music by Arnold Rosner and Carson CoomanI was very pleased to be invited as the guest of the London Piano Trio last week, to SJE Arts in Oxford to record chamber music by Carson Cooman and Arnold Rosner for Convivium Records. In spite of the inevitable restrictions due to the coranavirus (particularly distancing), we managed to produce something we are all very happy with and it was such a pleasure to make music with other people again.
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New CDAug 2020

Complete Dyson Piano Music

For release in October 2020 on SOMMSOMM Recordings announces the first complete survey on disc of George Dyson’s music for solo piano including five premiere recordings performed by Simon Callaghan in a specially priced two-CD set.
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Please help!May 2020

Conway Hall Appeal

Trying to keep our doors open!Please help if you can. Message from Dr Jim Walsh, our CEO, below the video.
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Thank you!May 2020

An Amazing Success

Our first online event for Conway Hall Sunday ConcertsThank you so much to everyone who attended our first online music event for Conway Hall Sunday Concerts last night! Over 140 people booked tickets, and many people gave so generously to our appeal.
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ListenApr 2020

Spotify

Please follow my Spotify channel!Many of my albums are available to listen to on Spotify! Please follow me there and I would very happy to follow you back.
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LivestreamApr 2020

Conway Hall Live!

Sunday 10th May at 6.30pm BSTIn the first Conway Hall Sunday Concerts live, online event, in place of the usual talks and performances postponed because of our venue’s temporary closure, we present an evening with Robert Hugill and Maria Canyigueral, hosted by our Director of Music Simon Callaghan.
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ReviewsApr 2020

British Violin Sonatas

A summary of reviews coming in for my CD with Clare HowickWe've been really happy for the reviews that have come in so far for our CD featuring works by Walton, Alywn, Leighton, Berkeley, Rawsthorne and Gordon Jacob!
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WFMTApr 2020

Pick of the Day!

A flattering accolade for our British Violin Sonatas disc.British Violin Sonatas was new release pick of the day on 26th April, on Chicago's largest classical radio station, WFMT!
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New videoMar 2020

Rachmaninoff at Eton

Our last concert before coronavirus!We didn't know it at the time, but our concert at Eton on 12 March was to the be the last performance for quite a while!
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Mar 2020

PhD Viva

The climax of a rewarding project!Earlier this week I took my PhD viva examination at the Royal Northern College of Music, and I'm pleased to let you know that - subject to minor revisions - I was successful! I'm really happy that my journey discovering the music of Roger Sacheverell Coke has not only led to much greater exposure for his music, but has also helped me develop in so many ways. The picture shows me with my supervisor and the two examiners (Kenneth Hamilton and David Horne) after a really exciting hour of discussion.
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InterviewMar 2020

Coke Interview

A great chat with Katherine Cooper about Roger Sacheverell CokeTo celebrate the completion of my PhD on Roger Sacheverell Coke and the recent release of the latest recording (cello sonatas), I had a good chat with Katherine Cooper at Presto Classical about my project so far. Please enjoy reading the interview if you have a spare few minutes, and scroll down to the bottom to see all the products currently available
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Mar 2020

Beethoven Trio Cycle I

The Start of a Year-Long ProjectOne of my projects in 2020 is a complete performance of the Beethoven piano trios with wonderful colleagues, Ben Gilmore and Ashok Klouda. We’ve spread the trios over three concerts and are lucky to be playing each programme three times in venues around the country. We kicked off our series with a bang last weekend with a lovely house concert, followed swiftly by Conway Hall Sunday Concerts and Luton Music on Mondays.
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ReviewsJan 2020

Reviews for 'The Deeper the Blue'

Favourable reviews coming in for this special recordingI have really enjoyed reading the reviews for this disc, my first with violinist Janet Sung and a return to SOMM Recordings after several years.
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Jan 2020

Dyson Recording

A new recording, for release on SOMM in November 2020I spent two wonderful days at the Menuhin Hall earlier in January, recording the complete piano music by George Dyson for SOMM. I was so happy to be joined by my dear friend Clíodna Shanahan to record (for the first time) Dyson's Concerto Leggiero in the version for two pianos. The disc includes a number of world premieres and I'm really looking forward to being able to share this lovely music with you later in 2020.