‘Of inestimable value. A major release’ (CDReview)

‘Altogether a magnificent recording, then, and I recommend it enthusiastically. Simpson's music is always absolutely honest, as was the man; like him, too, it is tough and uncompromising. But he also had a gruff sense of humour and a profound sense of the demands of humanism. These characteristics of the man illuminate the music. We are the richer for it … in lieu of live shows, please buy any or all of the Hyperion Simpson discs. Buy the Ninth Quartet, the First Quartet, the Third and Fifth Symphonies, the Second or Fourth, all the quartets, all the symphonies. Start here with the Nielsen Variations if you like. But start soon, or you'll miss a lifetime's inspiration. This is serious music, through which one determined Englishman hurled down the gauntlet to the self-regarding second half of the 20th century, and helped justify once more music's claim to be the most elevating, questing, and stimulating accompaniment to the life we all lead’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘This CD couples two very important works by a major twentieth century symphonist … if your local orchestra can play Haydn and Mozart symphonies they can play this one, but as the publishers have not seen fit to publish a score, and are unlikely to do so, your best bet is to get this record, dedicated to the memory of Hyperion's founder and lifelong friend of Simpson, Ted Perry’ (International Record Review)

‘The Hyperion label's commitment to Robert Simpson, the feisty conservative among postwar British composers has been unstinting … the polyphonic textures of the eleventh symphony intrigue, especially in Matthew Taylor's polished performance with the City of London Sinfonia’ (The Times)

‘The recordings are entirely worthy of the playing, and of the music. It's hard to imagine a more fitting memorial tribute to Hyperion's Ted Perry, whose faith and tenacity of purpose made this whole project possible. Strongly recommended’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘One of the most important symphonic cycles of recent years. Here Matthew Taylor, the work's dedicatee, draws a deeply understanding performance from the City of London Sinfonia, bringing out Simpson's characteristic combination of taut intellectual argument and intense emotion’ (The Guardian)

‘The performance by the City of London Sinfonia is excellent, the gifted conductor Matthew Taylor (himself a composer) creating the illusion that the piece is already key repertoire and that he's known it all his life. Good to know this CD completes the Simpson symphonic canon on Hyperion’ (The Independent)

‘Matthew Taylor secures magnificent playing from the City of London Sinfonia, especially in the symphony where his pacing is ideal, due to his knowledge of the work—it was written for him and the orchestra. The 'Nielsen' Variations purr along splendidly. An utterly marvellous disc, which I cannot recommend highly enough’ (Gramophone)

‘As hypnotic as the star-filled night sky … so utterly absorbing is this symphony that I have hardly given a thought to the performance or the recording … which is surely the best possible tribute to all concerned’ (Gramophone)

‘Awesome’ (The Independent)

‘A most powerful experience: concentrated, awesome, and as mysterious as some astronomical phenomenon. Played superbly, and no less superbly recorded’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘Characteristically rugged and uncompromising, but with touches of fantasy, visionary inwardness and wit. This is music that nourishes the soul’ (Gramophone)