Robert Simpson

Scofield: You are an organist just like Maurice Duruflé, whose beautiful music for which you won Grammy Award recording, Duruflé: Complete Choral Works. This music is really in your blood, in your soul. One comment that I found interesting, as a result of that, you said in an interview, “The fact is that classical music has got to make a case for itself, and within that, choral music needs to make a case for itself.” What did you mean by that?

Simpson: Choral music, or music in my estimation, must speak directly to the soul, to the individual, and become part of an awakening. Make a case for itself as being important. I am actually inspired somewhat by the current situation. We have been told to shelter in place for the time being, and we’re doing a podcast every day – the Houston chamber choir and I – of choral music. It’s given people a chance to have a moment’s respite, a moment’s release from anxiety, and people are starting to become aware of the fact that music is important. It does speak to me, and when the world quiets down, music becomes a vital part of making us feel alive. The music isn’t what changes. It’s the opportunity that we give to ourselves to stop long enough to notice it.