Vision Of Sound Records & Publishing was started in 1997 by composer and performer Simon-Mary Vincent to promote her contemporary classical and experimental music.
“Visionary and expressive”, “rich and surprising”, “incredibly individual”, “masterful compositions”, “an immersive experience”, Simon-Mary’s music has attracted praise and radio play from critics as varied as Fran Wilson, Lauren Redhead, Ben Watson, Julian Cowley, Nick Luscombe, Robert Hugill, Robert D. Rusch, Massimo Ricci, Gilles Peterson and Mr. Scruff, and has been reviewed in publications including The Wire, International Piano, De:Bug, Knowledge Magazine, Straight No Chaser, Dragon Jazz, Avant Music News and Jazzwise.
Active for many years in Europe’s improvised and experimental music scene, she was also resident DJ in the Cookin’ Room at LTJ Bukem’s Progression Sessions, releasing compositions and performances on Erstwhile Records, EMANEM, L’innomable, Good Looking Records, as well as her own label Vision of Sound to critical acclaim with trumpeter Tom Arthurs, The Occasional Trio featuring bassist Roland Fidezius and drummer Kay Lübke, percussionist Asher Gamedze, and Ten Trees Conversations with percussionist Tumi Mogorosi, sound interventionist Robert Machiri and spiritual philosopher Kupawashe Mtata.
In addition, she founded and directed the EMW Experimental Orchestra premiering works at Club Transmediale, Tresor and the Akademie der Künste (Berlin) and has lectured in subjects ranging from 2-channel and 8-channel acousmatic composition, audio installation and interdisciplinary performance art to urban musical and sonic landscape theory (socioacoustics), afrofuturism, sound design, feminist performance art, and network and game theory.
Simon-Mary‘s unique work has led to appearances worldwide at the Tallinn Music Week, TechFestival Copenhagen, Erased Tapes Sound Gallery, Glastonbury Festival, Akademie der Künste (Berlin), ICA London, Club Transmediale (Berlin), Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik (Darmstadt), Visiones Sonoras (Mexico City), Q-02 Brussels, as well as on Resonance FM, BBC Radio 3, Ministry of Sound Radio and FM4-Austria among many others.
Having completed a commission from RPO Principal trombonist Matthew Gee for 3 electroacoustic miniatures, BBC Radio 3 Late Junction’s Nick Luscombe, The Richard Wagner Museum’s ‘Amor Mundi Festival’, as well as the Artist Residency Schloss Balmoral, she has recently released a new album with the electroacoustic trio Nàdair and premièred a new large-scale composition commissioned by the Humber Street Gallery Thursday Lates (UK).
With CD and Hi Resolution Digital Downloads already available, other products such as scores and articles will be coming soon.
Please get in touch to be put on our mailing list or for any further questions.
The Cross-Eyed Pianist:
Meet The Artist with Composer Simon-Mary Vincent
“I am delighted to have been asked by Frances Wilson to contribute to her ‘Meet the Artist‘ blog.
You can read my reflections on music as well as some insights into how I started as a composer.
It is a wonderful website with so many insightful, illuminating articles and I’m sure you will enjoy her work.”
NEWS
Media Innovation Awards 2023
I have recently received news that the UK-based Innovation in Business have named me “Most Innovative Piano Music Composer 2023 (UK)”.
While I am of course deeply honoured, this could not have been possible without the support of both Steingraeber Pianos in Bayreuth, for allowing me to compose and record my music on what are truly the finest pianos in the world, and the wonderful Mila Art Agency for their inspiration, encouragement and fantastic work.
My heart-felt thanks to them.
Simon-Mary Vincent
“Percussive flurries flutter across a placid surface, pursued by sepulchral tones and concertina-like wheezing.
Rare in this genre, Realm sounds fresh and is all too brief.”
Julian Cowley, The Wire
realm is a 2-channel electroacoustic work composed almost entirely using small grains of sound. These grains are continually expanded and contracted to create materials ranging from detailed percussive flurries to vast clouds which collide and convolve with one another.
The result is a dramatic sound-scape that guides the listener into a lost, and unexpected, “realm”.
Available now on all streaming & download sites.
This is the second work in Simon-Mary Vincent’s electroacoustic comma series. Works in this series are miniature, spontaneous compositions which combine materials from a previously completed work and materials currently being worked on.
This spontaneity creates new dynamic and surprising relationships between familiar sounds, and in the case of comma 02 gives rise to voluminous and often surreal soundworlds.
The work was originally composed in 2006, and was released as part of a compilation CD for the fifth “Concurso Internacional de Miniaturas Electroacústicas“, Spain. it is released here for the first time as a solo work.
Available now on all streaming & download sites.
le chiffre is primarily a study of two sets of materials: an 8-channel playback system, and recordings of stone, dried leaves, ice and an acoustic guitar.
The opening sounds of the piece introduce the playback system itself, moving slowly from left to right over the 8 channels, and consist of little more than “system noise” recorded from my computer.
Gradually, small, detailed composed studies of the remaining materials are presented, guiding the narrative of the piece through blocks and textures of sounds with varying densities as well as degrees of dryness and resonance.
It was released on the CMMAS Lustro 01 CD in 2011, and is available here in 96kHz quality for the first time.
Available now on all streaming & download sites.
Simon-Mary Vincent
Mr. Gee’s Magical Trombone Case
Commissioned by Principal RPO Trombonist Matthew Gee, Mr. Gee’s Magical Trombone Case is a suite of 3 acousmatic miniatures using trombone gestures often found in the instrument’s repertoire for classical music and for ‘warm up’ exercises.
I have used these in a playful and ironic way, to conjure up circus-type soundscapes as heard in the Overture, as well as the ‘melancholia’ heard in the Intermission, and finally the light-hearted Finale.
The titles of the movements (A Most Grand and Marvellous Spectacle, Mrs. Nisbett’s Particular Lament, The Triumphal Coulrophobonia) were inspired by Simon-Mary’s fascination with Victoriana, in particular circus and advertising billboards.
The work was originally released on CD by Matthew Gee later in 2017 as part of his project which explores new compositions for the trombone.
It is available for the first time in high resolution audio, as a mini ep.
Available now on all streaming & download sites.
Roland Fidezius:
Grinding Teeth
Already acclaimed as a formidable musician whose energy and sound have left their indelible mark on a huge range of projects from APPARAT, Peter Van Huffel’s GORILLA MASK and Simon-Mary Vincent’s OCCASIONAL TRIO to most recently mezzo soprano Claudia van Hasselt, and Sophie Tassignon’s KHYAL, bassist ROLAND FIDEZIUS takes centre stage with his gripping debut solo album GRINDING TEETH.
GRINDING TEETH is a series of uncompromising electric bass and live-electronics performances recorded between 2016 and 2020 that are propulsive, distorted yet also delicate and reflective in equal measures, from the intense thickness of opening track BRETT, through the almost jewel-like BACK AGAIN, culminating in the sci-fi-dystopia of ONCE FOR ALL.
An album that announces its presence from the very start, GRINDING TEETH displays both musical mastery and passion for unique and surprising soundscapes, unflinchingly signalling a new chapter in ROLAND FIDEZIUS‘ musical journey of which Vision Of Sound Records are absolutely thrilled to be part.
Available now on CD and all streaming & download sites.
Simon-Mary Vincent:
A Penny Beautiful for Catherine Eddowes
Composed as a response to both the architecture and history of Mitre Square (Aldgate) in London, the work consciously shifts focus away from overbearingly insensitive, patriarchal obsessions and glorifications of tour guide narratives that visitors to the space will inevitably encounter and, more importantly, onto Catherine Eddowes, a “… jolly, intelligent and scholarly woman” whose name is regrettably seldom mentioned in any other context.
It is conceived for her as an electroacoustic garden of remembrance and healing.
As materials, the composition uses analogue communication in the form of birdsong recorded in the composer’s garden in Lincoln at the time, forming – along with poplar trees swaying in the distance – a backdrop to transient, momentary ‘appearances’ from the digital world which bring the listener gradually into the dawn chorus of a new morning.
It was premièred at the Erased Tapes Sound Gallery, London on 10th July 2018, and later on-site at Mitre Square, Aldgate as part of Musicity x Sculpture in the City on 21st July 2018.
It was commissioned by Nick Luscombe (Musicity) and premièred at the Erased Tapes Sound Gallery, London on 10th July 2018, and later on-site at Mitre Square, Aldgate as part of ‘Musicity x Sculpture in the City’ on 21st July 2018.
Available now on Bandcamp and all streaming & download sites.
Nadair:
Music For The Vernal Equinox
NÀDAIR is a wonderful, fresh electroacoustic trio featuring Chris Dowding (trumpets & live electronics), Dave Pullin (acoustic double bass), and Simon-Mary Vincent (live electronics).
Assembled by Dave Pullin, NÀDAIR brings together 3 highly regarded and contrasting sonic practitioners, each well-known in their respective areas of acoustic and electronic improvisation and composition.
This CD is a recording of their very first meeting, live in concert at St. Edmunds Church, Fishergate in Norwich in March 2022.
Critic John Sharpe, who was an audience member at the concert commented afterwards: “MUSIC FOR THE VERNAL EQUINOX was an evocative title for the ethereal slowly mutating mix of Chris Dowding’s looped trumpets, Dave Pullin’s eddying double bass and Simon-Mary Vincent’s whispering and crackling resonances at St. Edmund‘s Church last night.”
Available now on Bandcamp and from September 2023 on all streaming & download sites.
Simon-Mary Vincent:
Three Green Hills Pieces
Three Green Hills Pieces consists of three individual short movements for solo piano. Each movement sketches—rather than translates in any literal musical way—the aura of its subject, ranging from the flitting, slightly mischievous character of The Sylphid, the bold annunciatory presence of The Songthrush, and the open-hearted joy of The Spirit of Ecstasy.
The pieces were created using Pianoteq’s physically modelled Steingraeber E-272 Concert Grand Piano with a preset customized by the composer. The midi information of the performances was captured by the software and exported as digital audio.
Three Green Hills Pieces is dedicated to longtime, Norwich-based musical collaborator and friend Dave Pullin on the occasion of his 66th birthday on 25th July 2022.
Available now on all streaming & download sites.
Simon-Mary Vincent:
Sinan’s Delight
My works focuses on the more contemporary classical / experimental side of music, but sometimes other musical creations just pop out, as any composer will tell you.
So it is with Sinan’s Delight, a little UK garage track, with some typical Vincent-type twists full of driving, swinging hand-programmed beats and warm synths.
It’s named after Sinan Örs, promoter, agent, DJ and legendary good friend from our days working together at LTJ Bukem’s label back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s.
It’s a perfect, free-spirited tune for the summer, and I hope you like it.
Available now on all streaming & download sights.
Stirfry:
Electroacoustic Improvisations
This is a very special release indeed on Vision Of Sound Records.
Stirfry (1993-1996) was an experimental electro/acoustic trio based in Norwich that constantly challenged many of the accepted rules and boundaries of free, improvised music-making at that time by way of its openness to sampling, melody and rhythm just as much as more experimental approaches to sound.
It featured Colin Brady (percussion), Dave Pullin (soprano and sopranino saxophones) and Simon Vincent (piano, synthesizer and live electronics), and in its brief yet intense history surprised – it’s more than fair to say – audiences at some of the UK’s leading improvised music events in Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, London and of course Norwich itself.
This studio recording made in 1995 allows the listener a unique and focused window into the pacing, energy and above all detail of just some of the vast canvas of Stirfry’s soundworld.
This release is dedicated to the memory of Colin Brady (1960-2021) and his breath-taking approach to sound and invention.
Vision Of Sound Records’ latest mini release release Self Portrait Nr. 1 – With Ancestors June 2020 finds Simon-Mary Vincent clearing a path to hearing “un-called-upon voices… un-remembered stories.”
A powerful and necessary self-portrait for these times.
Vision Of Sound Records’ autumn 2019 release The Occasional Trio Live In Berlin features The Occasional Trio in explosive form recorded over two nights at the Schlot Jazz Club in Berlin.
Their finest, most dynamic music to date, it is available from 18th October 2019, and you can pre-order the CD album here.
In collaboration with Steingraeber & Söhne Piano Makers in Bayreuth, I have been exploring the sound world of their marvelous pianos, including the recent Transducer Grand Piano.
You can see the results of this and many other exciting innovations here.
NEXT EVENT
Due to the on-going corona virus pandemic, and for the health and safety of all concerned, many concerts have either been cancelled or postponed.
Please do check back for regular updates.
Thank you for your continued support and stay safe.
Simon
18th December 2020
The Occasional Trio
Kühlspot Social Club
Berlin
Germany
Postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
29th September 2020
The Occasional Trio
Schlot Jazz Club
Berlin
Germany
TBC
25th February 2020
The Occasional Trio
Schlot Jazz Club
Berlin
Germany
20th December 2019
Palais de Mari (Morton Feldman, 1986)
Simon Vincent: Solo Piano
All Saints Church
Nettleham, Lincolnshire
England
PLEASE NOTE: 5:15pm Start
10th August 2019
The Tears That Bless The Ashes
for Electronics & Double Bass
Bayreuth Blättert
Germany
8th April 2019
Mac N’ Bass
Back From Space
Madame Claude
Berlin
Germany
29th March 2019
Tom Arthurs & Simon Vincent
Live Real-Time Sound Sculpture
Loch
Wuppertal
Germany
22nd February 2019
Simon Vincent (Solo Piano)
All Saints Church
Nettleham
England
11th January 2019
Ten Trees Conversations Part 2
Tumi Mogorosi (Drums) & Simon Vincent (Piano)
Steingraeber Haus
Bayreuth
Germany
12th January 2019
Dis/sonance: Exhibition & Performance
Photography by Maxim Zimmerman (Green Vessoff)
Music by Simon Vincent (Solo Piano)
21 September
Autumn Revelations
VOSCD-004
Out now on Vision Of Sound Records
10th July
Presentation of a New Work for MUSICITY
Commissioned & Curated by Nick Luscombe
Musicity London Live
Erased Tapes Sound Gallery
London
England
6th April
130701 / FatCat Records
& Japan Sound Portrait Night
Tallinn Music Week
Estonia
Simon’s scores are now available from the
Vision Of Sound Shop.
23th March
Works for Solo Piano & Electronics
Alte Schmiede
Vienna
Austria
13th March 2018
The Occasional Trio
Schlot Jazz Club
Berlin
Germany
12th March 2018
Mac N Bass
Madame Claude
Berlin
Germany
28th February 2018
La Mia Coppa Trabocca
Works for Solo Piano & Electronics
Almedalen Library
Visby
Gotland
14th December 2017
SHINING.
Spectral appearances in the world of music.
Lecture & Solo Performance
Thurnau
Germany
23rd October 2017
Mac N Bass presents:
Random Lamp Field Aesthetics
Madame Claude
Berlin
Germany
5-7th September 2017
Lena von Geyso, Sophie Tassignon, Simon Vincent
TechFestival
Copenhagen
Denmark
In a work curated by Lena von Geyso and commissioned by Tech Festival 2017, Sophie Tassignon and Simon Vincent will give electroacoustic interpretations of cyberfeminist texts and manifestos. More details soon.
15th August
Simon Vincent
Stations of the Cross for Solo Piano (2016)
St. Mungo’s
Glasgow
18th July
Mac n’ Bass
COSMIC HARMONIC
with special guests
Devin Gray & Brad Henkel
Café Tasso, Berlin, Germany
and together, for one night only, they will present you with examples of the finest cosmic rock and stellar dust. Do join them.
29th May
The Occasional Trio 2nd Anniversary Concert
B-Flat, Berlin, Germany
On the 29th May The Occasional Trio will be celebrating its 2nd Anniversary.
In its short time together, The Trio, along with wonderful the craft and talent of Roland Fidezius and Rudi Fischerlehner, has already received praise from BBC Radio 3, Cadence Magazine, Longplay, Jazz And Beyond, and Jazz FM among many others.
Known for its dynamism and interplay, The Occasional Trio’s last concert of 2016 in the Schlot saw it reach new heights and the 29th May brings us back to the B-Flat in Mitte, where it all began back in May 2015.
3rd April – 20th May
Simon Vincent
Stations of the Cross
Solo Piano & CD Release Tour
Starting in London on 3rd April, the tour will see Simon performing in Churches, Cathedrals and other venues throughout the UK.
Please click here for further details.
Simon Vincent / Vision Of Sound Records
PMC Key Client
Vision Of Sound is delighted to listed as a key client of PMC Monitors & Loudspeakers, having used their wonderful hi-end products exclusively since 2000.
Further details can be found here.
Stations of the Cross for solo piano.
The new composition by Simon Vincent
CD release and solo piano tour coming soon.
Tom Arthurs & Simon Vincent
Real-time Sound Sculpture Vol. 1
Available from 7th October 2016
Focusing on extreme detail and attention to the dynamics of sound, Tom Arthurs and Simon Vincent present this new album of stunning real-time sound sculptures, recorded in Berlin in 2015.
You can purchase the album as CD directly through us, or as digital download in our online shop.
Simon Vincent’s
The Occasional Trio
Opening Lines
The Occasional Trio’s stunning début album Opening Lines on Vision Of Sound Records is now on sale.
Here are the latest reviews:
“Vincent has written some lovely tunes and plays them with a Debussy-like tension and style which may suggest Bill Evans but without the harmonic overlay. More please.”
Robert D. Rusch, Papatamus, Cadence Magazine
“Future/memory jazz full of dynamism, melody and groove. Masterful compositions intimately performed. Beautiful music.”
Nick Luscombe BBC Radio 3 Late Junction / FlomotionRadio
“Dynamic… sublime… refreshing… occasionally too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”
Peter Wockner, Jazz and Beyond
“Layers of great sensitivity… captivating… vast shimmering piano impressionism… unique sensitivity for sound.”
Robert Ratajczak, Longplay
“A pianist with a delicate touch… lyrical, extremely evocative music… propulsive and vigorous… exquisite.”
Pierre Dulieu, Dragon Jazz
You can purchase the album here.
See videos of their fantastic Album Launch Concert on 12th May at the Schlot in Berlin here.