Simon Belshaw has studied composition with Gavin Bryars completing a PhD in 2005. The focus of his PhD research was the use of disruptive systems to interrupt repetitive patterns. Simon has always been more interested in the fallibility of systems and, as Nyman wrote about John White’s music, ‘… being English they are ambling, friendly, self-effacing systems, which may break down …’

Born in the UK he has been the recipient of the Francis Chagrin Award and Oppenheim John Downes Memorial Trust, and has received funding from The Arts Council, Exeter Arts Council, and RVW trust.

For the past few years, he has been working on his Music Machines project, with over 40 machines being utilised across the country, including during live performances. Most recently the Library Barcode Music Player has been installed in three libraries in the South west.

"Simon Belshaw's Music Machine compositions (conceptually fascinating AND sonically beautiful)."

Simon has recently released a four track cd and digital downloads of some Music Machine recordings. The four pieces are Music Machine 26, Music Machine 28, Music Machine 29 and Music Machine 34. They are performed by Julie Hill (violin and viola) and Hilary Boxer (‘cello) and were recorded in the autumn of last year. The pieces use a combination of traditional music scores, web based scores and technology. Similarly the recording process used both traditional studio techniques and contemporary methods of constructing pieces note by note using software in combination with live performance.

"Wonderful sense of patience and harmonies rubbing together."

The result is four unique sounding, quiet, meditative works. They share elements such as contrasting one line with several, fading in and out, silence, stretching and contracting. Using close-miking the sounds are spare and the slow pace allows the listener time to focus on texture and timbre.

The cd is limited to 100 copies and comes in a single cardboard sleeve with a cover designed by Laura Collins and is available from Bandcamp. Digital downloads are available from all the major streaming and download stores (itunes, spotify etc).

“I wish we had had time to play it again - as always with these pieces, despite their apparent simplicity there is a lot to learn as an individual and as a group.” Emma Welton, Aubergine Family Orchestra.

"Which particular works do you think you collectively perform best?
Non-traditional, multimedia works that involve a more performative, even theatrical approach to musicking …. the experiments in graphic notation of composers like John Cage, Cornelius Cardew, and more recent examples by Simon Belshaw." Francesco Fusaro, 19’40”.