being in fast tempi. His chamber output consists mainly of works for solo instruments with piano. His most ambitious chamber works are his Wind Quintet of 1973 (UK Première given by the Vega Wind Quintet) and String Quartet of 2011. His extensive output for solo piano includes five piano sonatas and a variety of solo works. Between 2003 and 2005 he was composer-in-residence to the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban and lecturer in orchestration at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Music. He was charged with developing the KZNPO's New Music Initiative whose aim is to bring orchestral skills to KwaZulu-Natal-based composers and arrangers. He orchestrated the cantata Zizi Lethu (Our Hope) by KwaZulu-Natal composer Phelelani Mnomiya, written to celebrate ten years of South African democracy (2004). The work received its European premiere at the Barbican Centre in London where it was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. This led to a new orchestral composition entitled Dance to Freedom. More recent works include A Peal of Bells for D. B. Cooper for strings, tubular bells and celesta; a symphonic suite around the Tristan legend, entitled Fanfares for Tristan, which includes quotations from Wagner's opera; and an anti-war 12-note composition entitled A Cry from a World Aflame for strings, trumpets and percussion (premiered by the BBC Philharmonic). His latest work is the symphonic poem Seeing Stars, which is described as an entertaining piece. Coquette for solo flute was chosen to represent South Africa at the ISCM World Music Days in Beijing 2018. Poetry and music Simon has published poetry in journals and magazines in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Not surprisingly vocal music features in his output. His most substantial vocal work is his orchestral song cycle 'Portrait of Emily', settings of five of Emily Dickinson's poems. Other poets whose words he has set include Byron, Shelley, John Masefield, Wilfred Owen, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Matthew Arnold. Orchestral works Piano Concerto No 1 (1969–2003) Piano Concerto No 2 (1977–1979) Little Suite for Orchestra (1978–2006) Threnody 1 for String Orchestra (originally entitled ‘Rage, Rage against the Dying of the Light’) (1980) New Azania Overture (also known as An Antipodean Overture) (1980) Threnody 2 for Strings, Clarinet and Timpani (originally entitled ‘Steve Biko in Heaven’) (1981) Violin Concerto (1981–1990) Requiem for Orchestra originally entitled Requiem of 1984 (1983–1985) Children of the Sun (Los Hijos del Sol) (1989) Symphony (1993–1997) Late Gothic Overture