Christopher Matthews (musician)
Christopher Matthews (born June 21, 1972), is an English classical pianist and organist, who has achieved significant proficiency on both INSTRUMENTS.
Biography and career
Christopher Matthews was born in Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom.
He studied Piano at the London College of Music with Jeremy Davis and Bryce Morrison, and prior to moving to London, the organ with David Thorne at Portsmouth Cathedral. Graduating and gaining the Licentiate in 1995. He also performed in master classes with Piers Lane and Leslie Howard. Since then he has won several first prizes at festivals across the country and given recitals in and around London as a soloist, accompanist, and a founder member of the Orpheus Piano Trio. Matthews also formed a duo with flautist Odinn Baldvinsson.
Matthews has performed extensively as a soloist with orchestras, giving performances of Mozart's Piano Concerto No.23 and Liszt's Totentanz, in concerts with the Southampton Youth Orchestra. He was invited by the composer John McLeod to give a performance with the LCM Symphony Orchestra of Richard Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto from the wartime film "Dangerous Moonlight" in a concert devoted to British film music.
Matthews gave performances with the Surrey Sinfonietta of Robert Schumann's Introduction and Allegro Appassionato Op.92 in Croydon and London's Southwark Cathedral, after being awarded first prize in the Croydon Music Festival.
In 2004 Matthews became a Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and Singers.
Matthews was the Director of Music at Hampstead Garden Suburb Free Church (2002-05) and subsequently Organist at St Andrew the Apostle, Willesden Green. He is now Organist & Choirmaster at Golders Green Parish Church (St Alban the Martyr).
Matthews continues to perform a very wide range of music, on organ and piano, as soloist and with other musicians. He teaches privately.