The Music of Simon Holt

An Introduction and fourteen chapters by practising musicians, composers and musicologists offer a wide-ranging survey of Simon Holt's music up to 2015. A chronological catalogue of works (Appendix A) was established by the editor and the composer jointly. Vocal music and opera are covered by Anthony Gilbert, Richard E. McGregor and Steph Power; instrumental and orchestral works by Philip Rupprecht, Edward Venn, Stephen Gutman, Rebecca Thumpston, Melinda Maxwell and David Beard. Holt's sketches are analysed by Simon Speare. Julia Bardsley, Holt's collaborator on 'Who put Bella in the Wych elm' and 'Sueños', interviews Holt on these and other pieces. Thierry Fischer, conductor of seven of Holt's world premieres, responds to questions from other contributors about Holt's concertos, about his 'Icarus' trilogy, and about 'Troubled Light', a 2008 BBC Proms commission. Holt's frequent musical inspiration in visual art and sculpture, and their wider political resonances, are explored by David Charlton.