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Colin Matthews

Composer

The Isambard Kingdom Brunel of contemporary music …

— Paul Griffiths, The Times
  • Colin Matthews, photographed by Fiona Garden
    Colin Matthews, photographed by Fiona Garden
  • Colin Matthews, photographed by Fiona Garden
    Colin Matthews, photographed by Fiona Garden
  • Colin Matthews, photographed by Fiona Garden
    Colin Matthews, photographed by Fiona Garden

COLIN MATTHEWS was born in London in 1946. He studied with Arnold Whittall and Nicholas Maw; in the 1970s he was assistant to Benjamin Britten, and worked for many years with Imogen Holst. His collaboration with Deryck Cooke on the performing version of Mahler’s Tenth Symphony lasted from 1963 until its publication in 1975. Over five decades his music has ranged from solo piano music through five string quartets and many ensemble and orchestral works. He was Associate Composer with the London Symphony Orchestra between 1992 and 1999, and Composer-in-Association with the Hallé from 2001-10, now their Composer Emeritus.

Read complete biography about Biography

Featured Recording

Violin Concerto, Cortège, Cello Concerto No.2

Cover of CD of violin concerto featuring an abstract painting (portrait of CM composer) by Jack Smith

Performers: BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; Leila Josefowicz (violin), Anssi Karttunen (cello); Oliver Knussen (conductor), Riccardo Chailly (conductor), Rumon Gamba (conductor)

This album showcases three large-scale orchestral pieces; the dark, Mahlerian Cortège (1988) being the earliest work recorded here. Violin Concerto (2009) was composed for Leila Josefowicz; the piece emerged naturally from her musical personality, style and technique. Cello Concerto No.2 (1996) was composed for Mstislav Rostropovich, who gave its first performance with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis at the Barbican, London, on 17 September 1996.

More about this recording

Gallery

A selection of images spanning Colin Matthews’ career in music.

  • CM, Janet Baker, Benjamin Britten, Rita Thomson in conversation while looking at a music score together
    CM, Janet Baker, Benjamin Britten, Rita Thomson - Aldeburgh Festival 1976 (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)
  • Elliott Carter & CM in conversation in Snape Maltings concert hall
    Elliott Carter & CM - Aldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)
  • Aldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)
    Donald Mitchell, Paul Daniel, Colin Matthews, Michael Berkeley, Aldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)
  • Group photo standing outside Snape Maltings concert hall
    Robin Holloway, CM, Oliver Knussen, Toru Takemitsu, Howard Skempton - Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)
  • CM in conversation with Sally Groves & Hans Werner Henze
    CM, Sally Groves, Hans Werner Henze - Aldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)
  • Colin Matthews sitting at his desk
    Colin Matthews at his desk, photographed by Fiona Garden
  • Lukas Foss & CM sittign on the stage at Snape Maltings during a break in rehearsal
    Lukas Foss & CM - Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)

CM, Janet Baker, Benjamin Britten, Rita Thomson in conversation while looking at a music score togetherElliott Carter & CM in conversation in Snape Maltings concert hallAldeburgh Festival (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst; copyright Britten-Pears Foundation)Group photo standing outside Snape Maltings concert hallCM in conversation with Sally Groves & Hans Werner HenzeColin Matthews sitting at his deskLukas Foss & CM sittign on the stage at Snape Maltings during a break in rehearsal

View the full gallery

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Latest News & Views

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Royal Philharmonic Society Gamechanger Award

12 March, 2025

Upcoming Performances

Click on the date and title of the performance to view venue and booking details in a new window.

30 October, 2025 - Pluto the Renewer
Odense Symfoniorkester, Alpesh Chauhan (Conductor)
Carl Nielsen Salen, Odense Concert Hall, Denmark

31 October, 2025 - Pluto the Renewer
Odense Symfoniorkester, Alpesh Chauhan (Conductor)
Carl Nielsen Salen, Odense Concert Hall, Denmark

8 February, 2026 - Oboe Concerto (World Premiere)
London Symphony Orchestra, Olivier Stankiewicz (Oboe), Elim Chan (Conductor)
Barbican Hall, London

View all performances

Useful Links

Faber Music
NMC Recordings
The Holst Foundation

© 2025 Colin Matthews · Website by Bookswarm

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