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Colin Matthews

Composer

Matthews, like Britten, has the gift of creating crisply memorable material …

— Edward Greenfield, The Guardian

The Great Journey

27 July, 2021

Performers on stage receiving applause at the end of the Great Journey in Worcester Cathedral

Photo credit: Michael Whitefoot

This was the first performance of The Great Journey in 25 years, thanks to the commitment of the Three Choirs Festival, who programmed it in Worcester Cathedral after having to cancel last year. Standing in at short notice for Roderick Williams, Marcus Farnsworth gave an outstanding performance, wonderfully accompanied by the Goldfield Ensemble and Adrian Partington. Reviewing it in the Daily Telegraph, Ivan Hwett wrote ‘Matthews’s piece may be more than 30 years old, but in an era that’s newly sensitised to the horrors of colonialism it has never seemed more urgently relevant.’

A recent review of the recording can be found here.

sketch portrait of Spanish Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca
The Great Journey tells the story of the Spanish Conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

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Latest News & Views

Hans Werner Henze poses for a photo between Colin and Belinda Matthews. Another man (Olly Knussen) is just visible next to Colin.

Hans Werne Henze

1 July, 2026

CM, Michael Tilson Thomas & Joshua Robison posing outside next to a car door

Michael Tilson Thomas

24 April, 2026

A large, empty concert hall with a grand piano on the stage

45 Composers, Three concert halls

31 March, 2026

Upcoming Performances

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

20 September, 2026 - String Quartet No.6
Gildas Quartet
Brighton Dome

20 October, 2026 - Pluto the Renewer
Orchestre symphonique et chœurs d'ARTS², Nicolas Krüger (Conductor)
La Collégiale Sainte-Waudru de Mons, Belgium

22 October, 2026 - Pluto the Renewer
Orchestre symphonique et chœurs d’ARTS², Nicolas Krüger (Conductor)
Palais des Beaux Arts de Charleroi, Belgium

22 October, 2026 - Three Songs without Words (Ravel/Matthews)
Hallé Orchestra, Nicholas Collon (Conductor)
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

23 October, 2026 - Three Songs without Words (Ravel/Matthews)
Hallé Orchestra, Nicholas Collon (Conductor)
Sheffield City Hall

View all performances

Useful Links

Faber Music
NMC Recordings
The Holst Foundation

© 2026 Colin Matthews · Website by Bookswarm

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