'A joy to hear'
The Strad
Concert to thank the NHS a resounding success
Michael Stimpson and the Woburn Piano Trio at Smith Square Hall
The concert at Smith Square Hall, which took place on 2nd May 2025, featured the UK premiere of Michael's work for cello and piano, Tales From the 15th Floor, as well as favourite trios by Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Tales was performed by Karen Stevenson (cello) and Sophia Rahman (piano), who were joined by Emily Davis (violin) to perform the trios as the Woburn Piano Trio. As an encore, they played the third movement of Michael's Piano Trio No.2, And Then The Mist Rose. The concert was in support of Horatio's Garden, a charity supporting those with spinal injury.
From the third movement of Tales from The 15th Floor. The recording of the piece is available on the CD When The Light Shines.
Dylan in Swansea and NYC
To commemmorate the 70th anniversary of the death of Dylan Thomas in New York City in November 1953, Michael's song cycle Dylan, which charts the Welsh poet's life, received performances in Swansea, where he was born, and New York City, where he died.
The Swansea performance took place in the front room of 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, the very house where Dylan Thomas was born and grew up and which has been lovingly restored in a period fashion.
Box set of recorded works
Box set containing all 7 CDs of Michael's recorded music, featuring works from across his career
RECORDINGS
ABOUT
The works of Michael Stimpson have been performed, commissioned, and recorded by some of the UK’s most distinguished artists including the English Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Allegri and Maggini String Quartets, Bristol Bach Choir, Roderick Williams, Paul Agnew, David Campbell, Philippe Graffin, and Sioned Williams. A number of the UK’s finest venues have featured performances of his work including the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, and Cadogan Hall, as well as a variety of UK festivals. International recognition has prompted performances in Australia, Europe, Iran and the USA.
FEATURED WORK
The Stars Have Withdrawn Their Shining
'The title, The Stars Have Withdrawn Their Shining, is a modified quote from a late work of the 19th century artist, critic, philosopher, and reformer, John Ruskin. It was written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death. The piece itself follows the form of a sonatina, three movements in all, but in reality it is more a personal reflection of Ruskin’s life than a musical structure'
(Michael Stimpson, from the introduction to the piece)
The score is published by Creighton's Collection and is available here.
Read more about the piece here.
FEATURED SCORE
A cappella choir, soli, spoken word. Based on the writings of William Blake.
2006. 1hr 30 mins (approx). Premiered by The Exmoor Singers of London, 28th July 2007, The Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, London
Buy here
LISTEN
WATCH
michael-stimpson