The Inside Story: Simon Proctor and VIRTUOSO PIANO WORKS

Composer Simon Proctor and pianist Tyler Hay join forces to bring a dynamic collection of Proctor’s original compositions to life on VIRTUOSO PIANO WORKS from Navona Records. From rhapsodies to nocturnes, and everything in between, the duo’s mutual love for virtuosic piano music shines throughout, a perfect pairing that makes for a vicariously exciting listening experience.

Today, Simon is our featured artist in “The Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to learn about his affinity for the piano as a creative vessel, and why he puts the listener’s interest first when composing…

Who was your first favorite artist growing up?

In my formative years I was given and listened to a large number of classical LPs, mainly solo piano works and piano concertos — all the standard repertoire. The one pianist who featured most often was British artist Moura Lympany. I once had the privilege of attending a live recital of hers. It was a great occasion and I can still recall her scintillating performance of Chopin’s 3rd Scherzo.

When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?

I was creating my own songs at the age of 3. At 4-and-a-half a piano arrived in the family home. My mother had longed for a dog and my father a piano. So they came to an agreement and got one of each. My brother and I began learning the piano at the same time. He dropped out after a short while but I carried on and have never stopped! I was drawn to the piano immediately and that was a life-changing moment. Incidentally, I love pianos, but hate dogs!

If you could make a living at any job in the world, what would that job be?

I am very lucky because I am already doing my “dream job,” working as a full time professional musician. This encompasses composing, arranging, performing and teaching. Most days I start with piano practice, then move on to composing or arranging projects and then in the evening I teach piano. This is who I am — a musician, so I don’t consider what I do to be a ‘job’ at all — I just get paid for doing my favorite thing!

If you could spend creative time anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

My absolute favorite and most creative place to be is sitting in front of my piano! I don’t need any fancy location to get inspiration. All my creativity comes from sitting at a piano and exploring its 88 notes. This works for me, whether I’m writing an actual piano piece, an orchestral work, or anything in between. As well as a piano I have a large supply of manuscript paper, pencils, rulers and erasers. I never use computers at all. Computers are, in my opinion, a barrier to true creativity, whereas a piano has an infinite array of possibilities instantly available, literally at your fingertips!

If you instantly had expertise performing one instrument what instrument would that be?

I am already competent at playing the piano. I think the piano is the best instrument ever invented. It’s so versatile and yet so simple a concept. It can be a self-contained solo instrument, can accompany and is the star of some of the most brilliant concertos ever written. Even though I might have ‘expertise’ on the piano, Tyler Hay is in a different league! This is why he is the soloist on VIRTUOSO PIANO WORKS and not me. I would love to be as good as him on the piano. I’m not, so our working relationship is a symbiotic partnership — I compose the music, he plays it — perfect!

Is there a specific feeling that you would like communicated to audiences in this work?

I always aim to please the listener, whether that is with a slow, reflective piece or a flamboyant, edge-of-the-seat thrill-ride! Both emotional extremes are necessary for a balanced program. Music should not be a trial for the audience, it has to entertain and be a pleasurable experience. In order to achieve this there should always be melody, satisfying but interesting harmony, a perfectly conceived structure and just the right balance between tension and relaxation.