Orchestral Works
Symphonies
Concertos
For String Orchestra
Other Orchestral Works
Symphonies
Symphony No.1, 'Sinfonia Brevis', Op.2
Composed |
|
1985 |
Duration (approx) |
|
17 minutes |
Parts |
|
0200/ 2000/ str
|
Recording |
|
Symphony No.1 & 3, Horn Concerto -- Dutton Vocalion: CDLX 7178 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by The Purcell Orchestra.
|
First performance |
|
17th May 1985 |
Venue |
|
St. Paul's, Covent Garden, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
The Purcell Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Robin Page |
…a single-movement canvas of uncommon skill and purposefulness and fluency for one so tender in years
Andrew Achenbach, Gramophone, May 2007
Symphonic writing has been a mainstay of Taylor’s output and his First Symphony (1985) displays a telling symphonic logic within its single-movement dimensions…
Sinfonia Brevis successfully integrates its relative extremes of motion into an organic and inevitable whole: something not necessarily to be expected from a composer just into his twenties and which this performance captures in full measure.
Richard Whitehouse, International Record Review, Jan 2007
Symphony No.2, Op.10
Composed |
|
1991, revised 1997 & 2008 |
Duration (approx) |
|
37 minutes |
Parts |
|
3d3 2d1 2 2+1/ 4331/ timp 3perc pnodcel str
|
Recording |
|
Symphony No.2, Viola Concerto -- Toccata Classics: TOCC 0175 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned privately by Prof. Ian Craft.
|
First performance |
|
22nd January 2009 |
Venue |
|
Recorded at Maida Vale Studios, London. Transmitted on 4th April 2009. |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
BBC Symphony Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Garry Walker |
An exceedingly powerful piece - tough, cogent, persuasive, compelling...
For proof that the Symphony is alive and well look no further than the Second Symphony of Matthew Taylor, a magnificently integrated utterance firmly in the lineage of Simpson, Nielsen and Tippett. Believe me the music is that good...
If the enthusiastic response by audience and orchestra of the premiere of Matthew Taylor's Second Symphony is anything to go by then there is a future for contemporary music in this country...
Richard Whitehouse, Classical Source, February 2009
Symphony No.3, Op.33
Composed |
|
2004 |
Duration (approx) |
|
26 minutes |
Parts |
|
2d2 2d1 2d1(Eb) 2/ 3200 timpdperc, str
|
Recording |
|
Symphony No.1 & 3, Horn Concerto -- Dutton Vocalion: CDLX 7178 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Written as part of Taylor's residency with Sound Collective.
|
First performance |
|
7th January 2005 |
Venue |
|
St. John's Smith Square, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Sound Collective |
Conductor |
|
Tom Hammond |
Taylor writes with considerable inventive flair, economy of thought and wit. Above all this is a resourceful and personable voice that never fails to communicate...
Andrew Achenbach, Gramophone, May 2007
Symphony No.4, Op.54
Composed |
|
2015-2016 |
Duration (approx) |
|
25 minutes |
Parts |
|
3332 4331 harp, piano doubling celesta, timpani, 3 percussionists, strings
|
Recording |
|
Matthew Taylor: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 and Romanza for Strings -- Nimbus Records: NI 6406 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Arts Council England.
|
First performance |
|
15th May 2017 |
Venue |
|
Barbican Centre, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Kensington Symphony Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Russell Keable |
Notes |
|
Dedicated to Monica McCabe of her late husband, great friend and fellow symphonist John this symphony is a large one movement work which falls into three parts . The first starts with a vigorous sweep of energy which gradually broadens and intensifies before easing into an expansive often inwardly expressive slow movement. The final part acknowledges the influence of Haydn and Prokofiev and culminates in a return of the opening music, this time enforced with two pairs of timpani, part of an inextinguishable tradition when composing fourth symphonies. But despite the upheavals and tensions in the work , it is a predominantly amiable work I think it is my friendliest symphony yet.
|
Colin Anderson, classical source
Symphony No.5, Op.59
Composed |
|
2017-2019 |
Duration (approx) |
|
26 minutes |
Recording |
|
Matthew Taylor: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 and Romanza for Strings -- Nimbus Records: NI 6406 |
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by RVW Trust and John F Cohen Foundation.
|
First performance |
|
9th June 2019 |
Venue |
|
Cadogan Hall, London - part of the 21st Century British Symphony Project |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
English Symphony Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Kenneth Woods |
...a masterwork of genuine symphonic thinking... a work of intelligence, intellect and deep originality...
Robert Matthew Walker, Classical Source
Taylor's 5th Symphony amply reinforces his reputation as a symphonist of real stature...
Richard Whitehouse, Musical Opinion
Symphony No.6, Op.62
Composed |
|
2021 |
Duration (approx) |
|
23 minutes |
Parts |
|
2222 2100, timpani, glockenspiel, harp, piano, strings
|
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by the Malcolm Arnold Trust to mark the composer's centenary. In memory of Malcolm Arnold and with grateful thanks to his family.
|
First performance |
|
9th May 2021 |
Venue |
|
Recorded at BBC Hoddinot Hall, Cardiff |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
BBC National Orchestra of Wales |
Conductor |
|
Martyn Brabbins |
Notes |
|
Ffirst broadcast on Radio 3 on 19 July 2021.
|
Concertos
Clarinet Concertino, Op.63
Composed |
|
2021 |
Duration (approx) |
|
10 minutes |
Parts |
|
Clarinet and strings
|
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Notes |
|
Composed for Poppy Beddoe.
|
Clarinet Concerto, Op.20
Composed |
|
1996 |
Duration (approx) |
|
23 minutes |
Parts |
|
Solo clt. and orch: 1d1 2d1 0 2/ 2000/ timpdperc (1 player), str
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Written for Emma Johnson.
|
First performance |
|
19th June 1999 |
Venue |
|
Hingham Church, Norfolk |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
City of London Sinfonia |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Soloists / Players |
|
Emma Johnson, clarinet |
Notes |
|
London premiere at Blackheath Halls, 2nd July 1999.
|
Double Bass Concerto, Op.31
Composed |
|
2003 |
Duration (approx) |
|
19 minutes |
Parts |
|
D-b solo and a) string orch (tutti db ad lib) or b) soli 3 3 2 2 [1 db (ad lib)]
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by The Guildhall Strings.
|
First performance |
|
25th May 2005 |
Venue |
|
Brighton Festival |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
The Guildhall Strings |
Soloists / Players |
|
Christopher West, double bass |
Flute Concerto, Op.49
Composed |
|
2014 |
Duration (approx) |
|
22 minutes |
Parts |
|
2 2 2 2 4 2 0 0 timpani, celesta, clashed cymbals, roto toms, strings
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by Sinfonia Tamesa for Matthew's 50th birthday with funds provided by RVW Trust and private donations.
|
First performance |
|
6th December 2014 |
Venue |
|
Blackheath Halls, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Sinfonia Tamesa |
Conductor |
|
Tom Hammond |
Soloists / Players |
|
Daniel Pailthorpe, flute |
Horn Concerto, Op.23
Composed |
|
1999, revised 2004 |
Duration (approx) |
|
18 minutes |
Parts |
|
Strings - 33221 (players) min
|
Recording |
|
Symphony No.1 & 3, Horn Concerto -- Dutton Vocalion: CDLX 7178 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned, with funds from Yorkshire Arts, by Ryedale Festival.
|
First performance |
|
22nd July 1999 |
Venue |
|
Helmsley |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Goldberg Ensemble |
Conductor |
|
Malcolm Layfield, director |
Soloists / Players |
|
Richard Watkins, horn |
Notes |
|
London premiere by Adam Walters (horn) and Sound Collective conducted by Tom Hammond at St. Giles, Cripplegate, Barbican on 9th January 2004.
|
The result is surely the finest British horn concerto of recent decades and a pleasurable listen in its own right.
Richard Whitehouse, International Record Review, Jan 2007
Oboe Concerto, Op.60
Composed |
|
2020-2021 |
Duration (approx) |
|
16 minutes |
Parts |
|
Solo Oboe, 2 cor anglaises, 2 horns and strings
|
Publisher |
|
Music Haven |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by Keith and Margaret Stanley.
|
First performance |
|
31st August 2021 |
Venue |
|
Hereford Cathedral, part of the Presteigne Festival 2021 |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Presteigne Festival Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
George Vass |
Soloists / Players |
|
James Turnbull, oboe |
Piano Concerto, Op.13
Composed |
|
1992 |
Duration (approx) |
|
32 minutes |
Parts |
|
2d2 2d1 2 2/ 4200/ timp, str
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by the Malvern Festival.
|
First performance |
|
23rd May 1993 |
Venue |
|
Malvern Festival |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
The Goldberg Chamber Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Soloists / Players |
|
Martin Roscoe, piano |
Viola Concerto (Humoreskes), Op.41
Composed |
|
2010 |
Duration (approx) |
|
21 minutes |
Parts |
|
Solo viola, flute doubling piccolo, oboe, cor anglais, 2 bassons, 2 horns, timpani and strings.
|
Recording |
|
Symphony No.2, Viola Concerto -- Toccata Classics: TOCC 0175 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by Keith Stanley.
|
First performance |
|
2nd July 2011 |
Venue |
|
St. John's Church Waterloo, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Sinfonia Tamesa |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Soloists / Players |
|
Sarah Jane Bradley, viola |
Violin Concertino, Op.52
Composed |
|
2016 |
Duration (approx) |
|
10 minutes |
Parts |
|
Violin and strings
|
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by St Mary Magdalene Society.
|
First performance |
|
14th May 2016 |
Venue |
|
St Mary Magdalene Church, Little Venice, London, W2 |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Sussex House Soloists Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Soloists / Players |
|
James Murray, violin |
Violin Concerto, Op.42
Composed |
|
2010-2011 |
Duration (approx) |
|
23 minutes |
Parts |
|
Solo violin, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, harp, mandoline, timpani doibling tam-tam.
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by the Boltini Trust.
|
First performance |
|
2nd March 2013 |
Venue |
|
Capella Hall, St Petersburg, Russia |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
St Petersburg Capella Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Soloists / Players |
|
Efi Christodoulou |
For String Orchestra
Adagio
Composed |
|
1998 |
Duration (approx) |
|
6 minutes |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
First performance |
|
4th November 1998 |
Venue |
|
Carpenter's Hall, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Orchestre d'Occasion |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Notes |
|
Arrangement of the original quartet.
|
Related works |
|
Adagio - Tribute to R.S., Op.28 |
Lento, Op.3
Composed |
|
1988, revised 1992 |
Duration (approx) |
|
8 minutes |
Parts |
|
String orchestra
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Written for Thames Sinfonia.
|
First performance |
|
3rd July 1988 |
Venue |
|
St James, Piccadilly, London |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Thames Sinfonia |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Notes |
|
Revised premiere with the Westminster Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Landor, at St John's Smith Square on 14th November 1993.
|
Lovely Joan, Op.57
Composed |
|
2018 |
Duration (approx) |
|
4 minutes |
Parts |
|
String orchestra
|
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Commission |
|
Presteigne Festival 2018 Celebrations (in collaboration with miniatures by Thomas Hyde, Huw Watkins, Michael Berkeley, Adrian Williams, Sally Beamish and David Matthews)
|
First performance |
|
25th August 2018 |
Venue |
|
St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Presteigne Festival Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
George Vass |
Pastorals, Op.32a
Composed |
|
2014 |
Duration (approx) |
|
13 minutes |
Parts |
|
String orchestra
|
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by Presteigne Festival
|
First performance |
|
1st September 2015 |
Venue |
|
St Andrews Church, Presteigne |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Presteigne Festival Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
George Vass |
Soloists / Players |
|
Fenella Humphreys, violin |
Notes |
|
This piece is a thorough revision and orchestration for strings of Pastorals Op.32 for violin and piano.
|
Related works |
|
Pastorals, Op.32 |
Romanza, Op.36b
Variations on a theme of Reger, Op.45
Composed |
|
2011-2012 |
Duration (approx) |
|
16 minutes |
Parts |
|
String orchestra
|
Publisher |
|
Unpublished |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by Presteigne Festival.
|
First performance |
|
25th August 2012 |
Venue |
|
St Andrews Church, Presteigne |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Presteigne Festival Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
George Vass |
Other Orchestral Works
Divertimento 'Carshalton Beeches', Op.61
Composed |
|
2020-2021 |
Duration (approx) |
|
11 minutes |
Parts |
|
Flute, clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, 4 violins, 2 violas, 2 celli and double bass
|
Publisher |
|
Music Haven |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by Robin and Elizabeth Page in honour of their 40th wedding anniversary.
|
Notes |
|
Written as a companion piece to Stravinsky's 'Dumbarton Oaks'.
|
In Spring, Op.4
Composed |
|
1989 |
Duration (approx) |
|
17 minutes |
Parts |
|
Orch. 3d1 2 2 2/ 4231/ timp, 1 perc, str
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned, with funds from West Midlands Arts, by Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra.
|
First performance |
|
22nd February 1991 |
Venue |
|
Birmingham Town Hall |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Robin Page |
Notes |
|
London premiere with the Thames Sinfonia, conducted by Robin Page, at St John's Smith Square on 1st March 1991.
|
Storr, Op.43
Composed |
|
2011 |
Duration (approx) |
|
13 minutes |
Parts |
|
3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarintes, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani doubling suspnede cymbal, 1 percussionist platying tamtam bass drum and clashed cymbals.
|
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by PRS Foundation and the RVW Trust.
|
First performance |
|
3rd March 2012 |
Venue |
|
Christ Church, Chelmsford, Essex |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Essex Symphony Orchestra |
Conductor |
|
Tom Hammond |
The Needles, Op.26
Composed |
|
2000 |
Duration (approx) |
|
7-8 minutes |
Parts |
|
2d1 2 2 2/ 2200/ timp, perc, pno, str
|
Recording |
|
White Line British Light Overtures Volume 3 -- Academy Sound & Vision Ltd (AS&V): CDWHL2140 |
Publisher |
|
Peters Edition |
Commission |
|
Commissioned by the London School of Economics Music Society.
|
First performance |
|
28th January 2001 |
Venue |
|
Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells |
Orchestra / Ensemble |
|
Penshurst Sinfonia |
Conductor |
|
Matthew Taylor |
Notes |
|
London premiere with the LSE Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tom Hammond, at the Shaw Theatre, LSE, on 3rd December 2001.
|
|