Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 9, 1943 in London, England

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

David Matthews is a British composer who was born on March 9, 1943, in London, England. He is the younger brother of the famous jazz musician, John Surman. Matthews grew up in a musical family, and his father was a composer and music teacher. He began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the cello and the viola. Matthews studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was taught by Lennox Berkeley and Richard Rodney Bennett. He also studied with Hans Keller, who was a prominent musicologist and critic. Matthews was deeply influenced by the music of Benjamin Britten, and he later became a close friend of Britten's partner, Peter Pears. Matthews began his career as a composer in the 1960s, and his early works were influenced by the serialism and avant-garde movements of the time. However, he soon began to develop his own style, which was characterized by a lyrical and tonal approach to composition. Matthews has said that he is interested in creating music that is accessible to a wide audience, and he has been praised for his ability to combine traditional forms with contemporary techniques. One of Matthews' early works is his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1968. The piece is notable for its use of serial techniques, but it also features a lyrical and expressive melody in the second movement. Matthews' Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1978, is another early work that showcases his unique style. The symphony is characterized by its use of tonal harmonies and its incorporation of folk melodies. Matthews has composed a wide range of works, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, and vocal music. One of his most famous works is his Symphony No. 4, which was composed in 1991. The symphony is notable for its use of a large orchestra and its incorporation of jazz and rock influences. The piece has been praised for its energy and vitality, and it has been performed by orchestras around the world. Matthews has also composed a number of works for solo instruments, including his Piano Concerto, which was composed in 2008. The concerto is characterized by its virtuosic piano writing and its use of tonal harmonies. Matthews has said that he was inspired by the music of Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev when he composed the piece. In addition to his work as a composer, Matthews has also been involved in music education. He has taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the University of Sussex, and he has been a visiting professor at a number of universities around the world. Matthews has also written a number of books on music, including a biography of his brother, John Surman. Matthews has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer. He was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music in 2007, and he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2016. Matthews' music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. In conclusion, David Matthews is a British composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His unique style, which combines traditional forms with contemporary techniques, has earned him praise from audiences and critics alike. Matthews' works, which range from orchestral pieces to solo works, showcase his versatility and his ability to create music that is both accessible and innovative.

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