Winter Journey for solo violin is based on two moments from Franz Schubert’s Winterreise and was first performed in 1983. Across 14 minutes and eleven distinct sections Matthews presents variations on this original material in variously lyrical and virtuosic forms; the piece is also inspired by JS Bach’s Chaconne for solo violin in this respect. The overall mood of the piece comes from Matthews’ identification with the melancholy protagonist of Schubert’s song cycle.