Matthews, David (John)
Matthews, David (John)
Matthews, David (John) , English composer and writer on music, brother of Colin Matthews; b. London, March 9, 1943. He studied classics at the Univ. of Nottingham (1962–65) and composition with Anthony Milner. He was associated with Benjamin Britten and the Aldeburgh Festival (1966–69). With his brother, he collaborated with Deryck Cooke on a performing ed. of Mahler’s 10th Sym. He wrote articles on music and publ. Michael Tippett: An Introductory Study (1980) and Landscape into Sound (1992).
Works
orch.: 5 syms.: No. 1 (Stroud Festival, Oct. 8, 1975; rev. 1978), No. 2 (1976–79; London, May 13, 1982), No. 3 (1983–85; Sheffield, Sept. 27, 1985), No. 4 for Chamber Orch. (1989–90; London, May 28, 1991), and No. 5 (1998–99; London, Aug. 21, 1999); September Music (1979; BBC, Glasgow, April 28, 1980; rev. 1982); White Nights for Violin and Small Orch. (1980; rev. 1988); Introit for 2 Trumpets and Strings (Windsor, Nov. 13, 1981); 2 violin concertos: No. 1 (1980–82; BBC, Manchester, Nov. 2, 1983) and No. 2 (1997–98; St.-Nazaire Festival, Sept. 23, 1998); In the Dark Time (1984–85; London, Dec. 11, 1985); Variations for Strings (1986; Uppingham, March 23, 1987); Chaconne (1986–87;Manchester, Oct. 7, 1988); The Music of Dawn (1989–90; London, Nov. 28, 1990); Romanza for Cello and Chamber Orch. (1990); Scherzo capriccioso (1990); Capriccio for 2 Horns and Strings (1991); Oboe Concerto (1991–92; London, Sept. 18, 1992); From Sea to Sky, overture (1992); A Vision and a Journey (1992–93; Manchester, Oct. 21, 1993; rev. 1996); 2 Pieces for Strings (1996–2000); Burnham Wick (1997; Birmingham, March 10, 1998). chamber: 8 string quartets (1970, rev. 1980; 1976, rev. 1979; 1978, rev. 1981; 1981; 1984, rev. 1985; 1991; 1994–95; 1999); Toccatas and Pastorals for Oboe d’Amore, English Horn, Bassoon, and Harpsichord (1976; rev. 1979); Duet Variations for Flute and Piano (1982); Clarinet Quintet (1984); Aria for Violin and Piano (1986); The Flaying of Marsyas for Oboe and String Quartet (1986–87); String Trio (1989); 3 to Tango, piano trio (1991); A Song and Dance Sketchbook for Piano Quartet (1994–95); piano pieces, including a sonata (1989) and variations (1997). vocal: 3 Songs for Soprano and Orch. (1968–71); Stars for Chorus and Orch. (1970); Eclogue for Soprano and 7 Instrumentalists (1975–79); The Golden Kingdom for High Voice and Piano (1979–83); Cantiga for Soprano and Chamber Orch. (1987–88; London, July 27, 1988); Marina for Baritone, Basset Horn, Cello, and Piano (1988); The Ship of Death for Chorus (1988–89); The Sleeping Lord for Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet (1992); Spell of Sleep for Soprano, 2 Clarinets, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1992); Vespers for Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1993–94; Huddersfield, March 24, 1995); Hunting in Harvest for 6 Solo Voices (1996–97); Winter Passions for Baritone, Clarinet, String Trio, and Piano (1999); other songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire