Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1976

Genre

:

Choral

 

Matthew Martin is a British composer of classical music, born on 6th March 1976 in London, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a singer. Martin began playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the organ. He attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition with Joseph Horovitz and Richard Blackford. Martin's early works were mainly choral pieces, and he gained recognition for his compositions while still a student. In 1997, he won the BBC Young Composer of the Year award for his choral work "A Rose Magnificat." This success led to commissions from various choirs and ensembles, including the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, and the BBC Singers. One of Martin's most significant works is his "St. Mark Passion," which was commissioned by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, and premiered in 2008. The piece is a setting of the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of St. Mark, and it features a choir, soloists, and an orchestra. The work has been praised for its dramatic intensity and emotional power, and it has been performed by choirs and orchestras around the world. Martin has also composed several works for organ, including his "Passacaglia on a Theme by Dunstable," which was commissioned by the Royal Festival Hall in London and premiered in 2002. The piece is a virtuosic tour de force for the organ, and it has become a popular work in the organ repertoire. In addition to his choral and organ works, Martin has also composed orchestral music, including his "Concerto for Orchestra," which was commissioned by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and premiered in 2011. The piece is a dynamic and colorful work that showcases Martin's skill as an orchestrator. Martin's music is characterized by its rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive melodies. He is influenced by the music of J.S. Bach, Benjamin Britten, and Olivier Messiaen, among others. Martin's compositions are often inspired by his Christian faith, and he has written several works for liturgical use, including his "Missa Brevis," which is a setting of the Latin Mass for choir and organ. In addition to his work as a composer, Martin is also an accomplished organist and conductor. He has served as the Director of Music at Keble College, Oxford, and he has conducted numerous choirs and orchestras, including the BBC Singers and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Martin's music has been widely performed and recorded, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work. In 2013, he was awarded the British Composer Award for his choral work "The Gallant Weaver," and in 2019, he was appointed a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music. In conclusion, Matthew Martin is a talented and accomplished composer of classical music, known for his choral and organ works, as well as his orchestral music. His music is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate counterpoint, and it often reflects his Christian faith. Martin's works have been widely performed and recorded, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music.

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