Simon Parkin was born in Manchester and trained as a pianist and composer at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Northern College of Music. He lectures at the R.N.C.M., and has taught both composition and improvisation at the Menuhin School, as well as pursuing an active career as a pianist and composer.

Works include a 'Cello Concerto (winner of the Morley College Centenary Concerto Prize), a piece for choir, piano, trumpet and alto flute Le Chant des Oyseaux premièred and broadcast in Germany, a requiem Laughter and Tears, and many chamber works. His music has been performed in the U.K., U.S.A., and in Germany.

Programme Note: Three Pieces for Mixed Sextet

These pieces were written and commissioned for Psappha's inaugural concert.

The pieces are all short, with the second accelerating into the third, and are of a generally light and virtuosic character, attempting to exploit some of the good qualities of the players involved. There are many thematic and motivic links between the pieces, brief nods in the direction of serialism and minimalism, although the overall impression should be non-technical.

First Performance Details

The first performance of Three Pieces for Mixed Sextet was given on 28th September 1991 at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

The work was performed by Psappha and conducted by Christopher Gayford.

Three pieces for mixed sextet was commissioned by Psappha with funds provided by North West Arts Board.

Contact Details

Simon Parkin

39 Crompton Road

Burnage

Manchester

M19 2QL

England. U.K.
Tel: +44 161 244 4651