The writing is energetic, skilful, imaginative, and organic, as Matthews’ music always is …
— Stephen Pettitt, The Times
Shadows in the Water (1978-9). Voice & piano
This setting of a poem by Thomas Traherne (1637-74) was composed between August 1978 and May 1979 as a sixty-ninth birthday present for Peter Pears, who, with Steuart Bedford, gave the first performance at the 1980 Aldeburgh Festival.