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Colin Matthews

Composer

Matthews can handle grandeur and intimacy with equal skill.

— Fiona Maddocks, The Observer

Violin Concerto, Cortège, Cello Concerto No.2

Cover of CD of violin concerto featuring an abstract painting (portrait of CM composer) by Jack Smith
  • Recorded: 2016
  • Record label: NMC Recordings
  • Performers: BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; Leila Josefowicz (violin), Anssi Karttunen (cello); Oliver Knussen (conductor), Riccardo Chailly (conductor), Rumon Gamba (conductor)
  • Availability: On general release

Buy from NMC Recordings

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.

Reviews of Violin Concerto, Cortège, Cello Concerto No.2

Josefowicz is superb – radiant and pointed – in the concerto written for her. Cortège is colossal; and Karttunen dexterously finds his way through the Second Cello Concerto

— Gramophone

All the recordings on this disc have that sense of confidence, and bravura challenge. This is a fine birthday present and is essential listening

— Planet Hugill

It’s wonderful to hear such a thrilling performance of [Cortège] … his pieces are impeccably crafted

— The Times

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Latest News & Views

Nottingham University Challenge team - Roy, Hopkins, Wood, Matthews

Christmas University Challenge

19 December, 2020

Gurrelieder poster for first perfomance in 1913

Gurrelieder

7 April, 2020

Group pic of composers David Alberman (LSO chair and principal 2nd violin), Christian Mason (composition support) and from left to right Christian Drew, Stef Conner, Chris McCormack, Camilla Panufnik, Patrick Jones, Emma-Kate Matthews, CM, and Alex Paxton.

2020 Panufnik Composers

6 March, 2020

Upcoming Performances

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

20 January, 2021 - La cathédrale engloutie (Debussy/Matthews)
Orchestre de Paris, Ludovic Morlot (conductor)
Philharmonie, Paris, France

4 February, 2021 - Eleven Studies in Velocity
Royal Academy of Music
Livestreamed from the David Josefowitz Recital Hall

27 April, 2021 - Seascapes (World Premiere)
Nash Ensemble
Wigmore Hall, London

View all performances

Useful Links

Faber Music
NMC Recordings
The Holst Foundation

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