Whilst inevitably resulting in enjoyable and entertaining works, such qualities become perhaps a bit overbearing at times. Of the 6 symphonies he wrote, some movements of the earlier 3 works suffer a bit from this problem. But if you can develop the right mindset, they are well worth hearing. It is a life-affirming work, bright and uplifting. The opening movement builds up to a glorious, memorable climax which is a demonstration piece for full orchestral sound.
Contrast is provided in the slow movement of a much darker, serious vain.
Then, the finale is tremendous in how it builds up energy out from that section, towards another glorious but expertly controlled climax. Nielsen was a role model for Simpson and the work contains many recognisable elements of similarity. It has a refined structural logic, undergoing continual development, growing its own momentum and energy over steady pulses with rocking, oscillating motifs, so like Simpson. At one stage, a percussionist on side-drum attempts to disable the orchestral development by playing aggressively out of rhythm. But the orchestra wins the battle.