Thomas Simaku’s CD, Solos & Duos, released on Naxos Records in 2019, has been chosen among the ten best CDs of the year by the critic James H. North in the prestigious magazine Fanfare in the USA. The list includes recordings of works by Beethoven and Bartok, as well as two 21st century composers from the Netherlands and USA.
Thomas Simaku’s CD in Top Ten
22 October 2020
In his article, which appears in the issue 44:2 of Fanfare magazine (November-December 2020), the American critic writes:
‘Every work by Albanian/English composer Thomas Simaku is breathtaking. This is his second Naxos CD and his second appearance on my Want Lists; several more works heard on YouTube and elsewhere are equally stimulating.’
The CD includes works such as ENgREnage, written for Peter Sheppard-Skaerved and Roderick Chadwick, Deux Esquisses written for the pianist Joseph Houston, and his Soliloquy V – Flauto Acerbo – commissioned by the BBC Performing Arts Fund performed by the dedicatee Chris Orton.
Thomas Simaku’s music has been reaching audiences across Europe, the USA and further afield for three decades now, and it has been awarded a host of accolades for its expressive qualities and its unique blend of intensity and modernism. Major works include Concerto for Orchestra – the winning work of the Lutosławski Prize (2013), The Scream for String Orchestra (2017) based on the iconic painting by Munch, and a cycle of highly virtuosic solo pieces for various instruments. You can hear his BASCA Award-winning work Soliloquy V – Flauto Acerbo, described as ‘visionary and entirely original’.
More news
1 May 2025
David Blake, Elisabeth Lutyens and David Lancaster performances at Late Music, York
28 April 2025
Robert Saxton Wigmore Hall Premiere and CD Release
8 April 2025
Sadie Harrison’s "where she has always been … ble mae wastad wedi bod …" inspires new Welsh poetry
4 April 2025
"...a moving and heartfelt lament..." - an excellent review of Sadie Harrison's 'A Thousand Black Men Named George'
3 April 2025
Three April piano recitals at Late Music York
19 March 2025
UYMP Assistant Administrator (part-time)
19 March 2025
New album release of music by James Weeks and Nicolas Gombert
12 March 2025
Sammoutis awarded Senior Research Fellowship by the GATES International Excellence in the Humanities Programme
11 March 2025
“…a programme so perfectly shaped” - fabulous review of Danny Driver Wigmore concert which featured Simaku's ‘Catena IV’world premiere
26 February 2025
World Premiere of Lancaster's 'The World’s Last Night' on Saturday and Roger Marsh at 75
21 February 2025
Yash Saran Wins Ethyl Smyth Award With His Performance of Sadie Harrison's 'Lunae'
29 January 2025
Late Music York's Spring concerts commence