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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, Night’s Mask, Fuga

CD cover for the great journey, nights mask, fuga
  • Recorded: 1990
  • Record label: NMC Recordings
  • Performers: The Nash Ensemble; David Wilson-Johnson (Baritone), Patrizia Kwella (Soprano); Lionel Friend (conductor)
  • Availability: On general release

Buy from NMC Recordings

Colin Matthews’ The Great Journey, a forceful and panoramic narrative of a 16th-century Spanish expedition to America, is complemented by the scherzo Fuga and Night’s Mask, a darkly atmospheric setting of Fernando Pessoa’s brooding sonnet.

Reviews of The Great Journey etc.

A fizzing display of musical energy for which its composer is renowned… baritone David Wilson-Johnson and The Nash Ensemble acquit themselves superbly.

— BBC Music Magazine

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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 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

6 November, 2026 - Five Songs (Sibelius/Matthews)
Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Pietari Inkinen (Conductor), Johanna Rusanen (Soprano)
Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore

View all performances

Useful Links

Faber Music
NMC Recordings
The Holst Foundation

© 2026 Colin Matthews · Website by Bookswarm

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