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Matthew Whittall is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on May 13, 1975, in Wellington, New Zealand. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Whittall started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. He was also exposed to a wide range of music genres, including classical, jazz, and rock. Whittall attended Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied composition with Jack Body and John Psathas. He later pursued a Master's degree in composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, where he studied with Eero Hämeenniemi and Veli-Matti Puumala. Whittall also attended various composition workshops and masterclasses, including the Darmstadt International Summer Course for New Music in Germany. Whittall's music is characterized by its eclectic style, which draws inspiration from various musical traditions and genres. His compositions often feature complex rhythms, intricate harmonies, and unconventional instrumentation. Whittall's works have been performed by numerous ensembles and orchestras around the world, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Arditti Quartet. One of Whittall's early works is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1998. The piece is a tribute to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and features a wide range of textures and moods. The quartet was premiered by the New Zealand String Quartet and has since been performed by various ensembles. In 2002, Whittall composed his first orchestral work, entitled "The Garden of Forking Paths." The piece is inspired by the short story of the same name by the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges and features a large orchestra and a narrator. The work was premiered by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and has since been performed by other orchestras, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Whittall's music often explores philosophical and literary themes, as seen in his 2005 work "The Death of the Kings." The piece is based on the play "Le Roi se meurt" by the French playwright Eugène Ionesco and features a chamber ensemble and a narrator. The work was premiered by the Uusinta Ensemble in Helsinki and has since been performed by other ensembles. In 2008, Whittall composed his Piano Concerto, which features a solo piano and a large orchestra. The piece is characterized by its virtuosic piano writing and its use of unconventional harmonies and rhythms. The concerto was premiered by pianist Risto-Matti Marin and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Whittall's music often explores cultural and historical themes, as seen in his 2011 work "The Bones of the Dead." The piece is inspired by the ancient Māori tradition of burying the bones of the dead and features a large orchestra and a choir. The work was premiered by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir. In 2014, Whittall composed his Symphony No. 1, which features a large orchestra and is divided into three movements. The piece is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies and its exploration of the theme of transformation. The symphony was premiered by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Whittall's music has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Sibelius Prize in 2001 and the Teosto Prize in 2015.

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