• Simon Lasky MA, BA (Hons) is a self-published composer of contemporary music for the concert platform.
• He also undertakes occasional commissions for commercial film music work and song-writing projects.
• For a number of years he has been active as a Composer & Tutor on Education & Outreach Projects.
• Simon is very keen on working with people and students who wouldn't normally come into contact with 'classical' music and believes that exciting contemporary concert music should have as wide an audience as possible. His work on The SoundInventors Education Projects sees him focusing on demystifying the art of creating new music and taking it out of the confines of the Concert Hall and into the community.
• For information on current projects and commissions please see the 'Work in Progress' below.

To sample Simon's scores and recordings, to discuss performing his music or to commission a new work
please email Simon or telephone 0208 3570025

1992
3 Preludes for Solo Horn performed in the presence of Sir Yehudi Menhuin at St. John's Smith Square, London. Principal horn in Trinity College performances at Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southwark Cathedral and Purcell Room.

1993
Trinity College of Music Junior Department: Gladys Putick Memorial Prize for Composition. Concert performances of 3-movement Piano Quintet.

1993-4
Trinity College of Music Senior Department undergraduate: Studied composition with Andrew Lovett. Also piano, conducting, horn and organ. 2nd prize in TCM Senior Dept. Annual Improvisation Competition. Concert performances of solo piano works and 4-movement String Quartet.

1994-7
Bristol University undergraduate: studied composition with Adrian Beaumont. Awarded First Class Honours Degree in Music.

1996
Fusions for Chamber Ensemble (13 players) premiered by Bristol University New Music Ensemble in The Victoria Rooms. J.H.Britton Award to study conducting with George Hurst at Canford Summer School of Music. Workshop performance & recording of Silver for Soprano and Piano.

1996-7
Conductor and Artistic Director of Bristol University Chamber Orchestra. Appointed Assistant Conductor of New Bristol Sinfonia.

1997-8
Bristol University postgraduate: MA in Composition for Film, Television & Theatre. Summer visit to 'Media Ventures', Hans Zimmer's studios in Los Angeles.

1999
Drums & Bass for Orchestra premiered by the New Bristol Sinfonia, conducted by Jonathan James in The Victoria Rooms, Bristol. Various short film composition projects including The Quarry Men for Gangstar Pictures. First four books of instrumental arrangements published by Kevin Mayhew Publishers Ltd.

2000
Conducted own premiere of Music for Brass & Percussion in the Barbican Hall, London. Awarded scholarship to study composition with Kurt Schwertsik at Dartington International Summer School of Music.

2001
London performances of revised versions of Silver, 3 Preludes for Solo Horn (GSMD & Aldeburgh) and solo piano works. Summer attendance at The Britten-Pears School in Snape Maltings studying composition with Oliver Knussen, Colin Mathews and Magnus Lindberg

2002
'Assistant Composer' on "SoundInventors" Education & Outreach Project in Brent. Drums and Bass and Silver "Highly Commended" by spnm shortlist 2002/2003.

2003
'Assistant Composer' on "SoundInventors" Education & Outreach Project in Bedfordshire working alongside Paragon Sax Ensemble. Commissions from US recording artist, pianist Mirta Gomez and Novitas (soprano & piano duo).

2004
Premiere of Winter Night for Soprano &Piano at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

2005
Commission for extended symphonic work, Chasing Shadows for Two Trumpets & Orchestra (Paul Archibald - tpt.), for Murray Stewart and the London Pro Arte Orchestra for Spring 2006 St. John's Smith Square premiere. Individual commissions for Twelve Miniatures for Solo Piano

Chasing Shadows for Two Trumpets & Chamber Orchestra is Simon's first major work for orchestra since Drums and Bass for Orchestra was Premiered by Jonathan James and the New Bristol Sinfonia in The Victoria Rooms in Bristol in 1999. The commission, for a new work for chamber orchestra, comes from Murray Stewart (conductor) and The London Pro Arte Orchestra. The piece is scheduled to be Premiered at St. John's Smith Square, London in late Spring 2006 featuring Paul Archibald and Mark David as trumpet soloists. 'Chasing Shadows' is a substantial piece, symphonic in conception; the two solo trumpets are directed to stand at the extreme right and left of the front of the stage, thus enhancing the dramatic and antiphonal possibilities (between and against each other, and the body of the orchestra) of the writing. Chasing Shadows takes it's title, and much of it's inspiration, from the book of the same name, by Hugo Gryn (the works dedicatee) and Naomi Gryn.

Twelve Miniatures for Solo Piano is an on-going project: Each Prelude is being individually commissioned by a performer or it will have a unique dedicatee. A particular Prelude will explore a specific emotional mood, instrumental sonority or pianistic technique (including the use of 'prepared piano') thus reflecting the performing style of the commissioning pianist, OR the character of the unique dedicatee. It is envisaged that on completion the 12 pieces will work together as a collection or 'suite' to be performed and published as a single work.

Please contact Simon if you are a performer who would like to commission one of the Twelve Piano Miniatures or if you would like to commission one of the pieces to dedicate to a friend or family member (past or present) as a gift or tribute.