Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

March 4, 1942 in Sonora, KY

 

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 influenced by the music of composers such as Stravinsky, Bartok, and Shostakovich, and he developed a style that combined elements of modernism with traditional tonality. Matthews began his career as a composer in the 1960s, and his early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the time. He wrote a number of works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered in 1968. This work was well-received and established Matthews as a promising young composer. In the 1970s, Matthews began to move away from the avant-garde and towards a more tonal style. He wrote a number of works for orchestra, including his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered in 1978. This work was also well-received and established Matthews as a major figure in British classical music. Matthews continued to write music throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and his works were performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world. He wrote a number of works for solo instruments, including his Piano Concerto No. 1, which was premiered in 1988. He also wrote a number of works for choir, including his Requiem, which was premiered in 1995. One of Matthews' most significant works is his Symphony No. 4, which was premiered in 1991. This work is notable for its use of a large orchestra and its complex harmonic language. The symphony is divided into four movements, each of which explores a different mood or emotion. The work has been praised for its originality and its emotional depth. Matthews has also written a number of works for film and television. He wrote the score for the 1984 film, The Hit, which was directed by Stephen Frears. He also wrote the score for the BBC television series, The Buddha of Suburbia, which was based on the novel by Hanif Kureishi. In addition to his work as a composer, Matthews has also been active as a music critic and writer. He has written a number of articles and essays on music, and he has been a regular contributor to the BBC's music programs. Matthews has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer. He was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music in 2005, and he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 for his services to music. In conclusion, David Matthews is a British composer who has made significant contributions to classical music. He has developed a style that combines elements of modernism with traditional tonality, and his works have been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world. Matthews' Symphony No. 4 is one of his most significant works, and he has also written music for film and television. Matthews has received numerous awards and honors for his work, and he continues to be an important figure in British classical music.

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