Simon performs in solo and ensemble situations on a variety of lute instruments, chiefly the Baroque Guitar, the Theorbo, the Baroque Lute, and the Lute. There are a collection of already completed solo programs, but Simon is also able to arrange a program specifically suited for any situation, due to his wide repertoire. Below are a listing of composers and works that are associated with the instruments that Simon plays, as well as links to completed programs.
Repertoire for the Baroque Guitar includes Spanish, Italian and French 17th and 18th Century composers, such as Santa Cruz, Sanz, Santiago de Murcia, Corbetta, Granata, Foscarini, Roncalli, and de Visée. In this repertoire, individual dances such as the Fandango, Jacaras, Marizapalos, Espanoletas, Ciaconna and Folias are set alongside longer suites in the French and Italian manner with the more familiar Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue dance movements.
Primarily an instrument from Italy and France, the repertoire stems from the famous composers Kapsberger, Picinnini and de Visée, to the lesser known Hurel, Hotman and Castaldi, displaying the vivacity and 'crazyness' of the Italians, and the intimate and reservedness of the French. In arrangement for the Theorbo are transcriptions of the Bach solo 'cello suites.
With music from 17th Century France by Vieux Gaultier, Gallot and Mouton, to late German Baroque works by Weiß, Hagen and Bach, the Baroque Lute repertoire promises an unending variety of intimate, virtuosic, intriguing and ultimately beautiful music.
Simon concentrates his solo Lute repertoire on the great English composers, with a particular emphasis on the music of John Dowland and Anthony Holborne.