'Kaleidoscopic shifts of rhythm and dynamics...’   ​Gramophone

Availability

A4 score 0571505171 (fp) on sale

Programme Notes

The second, third and fifth of these studies were composed in 1974, the other two a year later. The fifth in particular reflects my interest at that time in minimalism, but all are relatively simple in concept. The first is a gentle sequence of chord permutations; the second a study on black and white keys whose speed is left to the performer; the third alternates flowing and static seventh chords; and the fourth is a study in rhythm. The final study builds from a simple figure by a continuous process of octave displacement. The first complete performance was given by Hugh Petter at the Wigmore Hall, London, on 14th May 1976.

Colin Matthews

Reviews

‘Matthews’s pieces explore various compositional gambits as much as they test diverse pianistic skills.  Indeed, it is surprising that the same composer should have produced within two years an utterly simple chain of chord progressions, a spirited toccata, an essay in rippling slow and still harmony, a display of quirky rhythmic exchanges and a gentle offshoot from Steve Reich.  What stamps the set, however, is the sure harmonic sense unintimidated by tonality…’
Financial Times (Paul Griffiths), 17 May 1976
 

'Challenging the player with kaleidoscopic shifts of rhythm and dynamics that never settle for the merely mechanical.’
Gramophone (Arnold Whittall), June 2008

 

Five Studies

The Pumphouse (Aldeburgh, Suffolk, United Kingdom)

Helen Reid

Five Studies

BBC Radio 3 (United Kingdom)

Five Studies

Purcell Room, Southbank Centre (London, United Kingdom)

Tatiana Papageorgiou

Five Studies

BMIC, Stratford Place (London, United Kingdom)

Jane Beament

Five Studies

Holywell Music Room (Oxford, United Kingdom)

Thomas Adès