“Musical
composition is about making order from chaos, using a set
of unique and occasionally temporary rules, with the ghosts
of others staring at your back and the possibility of
artistic perfection ahead. My work is constantly shifting
and re-inventing itself as I learn more about the nature of
musical expression.”
Matthew’s
works have been performed nationally by some of the
country’s leading ensembles and soloists.
Following
studies at the University of Huddersfield (BMus (Hons) and
MA) with Dr Margaret-Lucy Wilkins, Matthew studied at the
University of Sussex with Prof Martin Butler, graduating
with a DPhil (doctorate) in Musical Composition in July
2007. His musical portfolio and accompanying commentary
“Internal Drama, External Theatre” focussed on the abstract
nature of music and how this is expressed both within the
piece and to the audience.
Marked
by a strong dramatic impulse and rhythmic drive, his music
encompasses a wide range of influences, from the modernists
of the early 20th
century
to the stylish pop of the 60s. He enjoys close
collaborations with performers and aims to write music that
is performable and idiomatic. Matthew has also arranged
works for performances by the Rainbow Chorus and Hangleton
Brass Band, and worked with the singer Hazel O’Connor to
create backing vocal arrangements. Since 2009 he has worked
in close creative collaboration with the writer Peter
Kenny, resulting so far in the music theatre piece This
concert will fall in love with you and a handful of choral
works.
Composition highlights have included performances of This
concert will fall in love with you during Brighton Festival
Fringe, May 2010, in collaboration with the write Peter
Kenny and performed by members of Tacet Ensemble; Music for
Strings performed by Musicians of All Saints’, Lewes, in
July 2009; performances of his opera The Diary as part of
Tete-a-Tete opera festival at the Riverside Studios,
London, in August 2008; Sinfonia II: Dance Variations given
in 2007 by the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band,
conducted by John Miller; Bridging and Chiming given in
2005 by the Tacet Ensemble (commissioned with funds from
the Arts Council and premiered at the Brighton Festival);
The End of the Party premiered by Lontano, conducted by
Odaline de la Martinez at the Purcell Room, London in 2005;
and Chamber Concerto performed by the Composers’ Orchestral
Project conducted by Roger Montgomery at the Duke’s Hall,
Royal Academy of Music in 2001. Other projects have
included working with bass guitarist Herbie Flowers on
music for a theatre show, Imelda’s Magic Shoe.
Further performances have been given by the London Gay
Symphony Orchestra, Paragon Saxophone Quartet, Andrew
Melvin (piano), Lizzie Wingfield (soprano), Adam Bushell
and Tom Norrell (percussion duet), The Glens (bassoon and
piano) and the Musicians of All Saints Chamber Orchestra
among others.
See here for
full details and examples.
Click here for
a short composition biography suitable for
download.