I've always found Mathias' instrumental and orchestral works very attractive: beginning with the strong influence of the Tippett of Midsummer Marriage, his Music moved into a distinct, more individual soundworld. The choral works contribute to a genre I have little sympathy for, but this week offers also many rare opportunities to hear his other works. As the Beeblurb puts it:
(Nice bloke, too.)
Marking the 25th anniversary since the death of the Welsh composer William James Mathias, his daughter Rhiannon Mathias and friend Geraint Lewis join Donald Macleod to explore the composer's extraordinary life and music. During his career Mathias had his works regularly performed on an international stage. His orchestral score Laudi was at one point the most often performed work by any living British composer. Mathias was frequently inundated with commissions, including one to compose music for the wedding of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales in 1981. Alongside composing, Mathias was busy teaching new talent at Bangor University, whilst also sitting as a member of the Welsh Arts Council, the British Council, and the Music Advisory Board of the BBC. During his life he was involved in the transition to full professional status of Welsh National Opera, active in the development of the then BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, and oversaw the founding of the National Youth Choir and Youth Brass Band of Wales. He was highly active on the British musical scene, and greatly disciplined to have achieved so much during his lifetime. He died aged 57 in 1992 having composed many works including symphonies and concertos.
From the age of five William Mathias started to compose music. By the time he was six he'd also started to learn the piano, and would become a highly accomplished pianist. Mathias was born in Whitland in South Wales, and learnt much about music not only from his mother, but also from the then newly-launched Third Programme. He went to the University of Aberystwyth to study English, French and Philosophy, but was encouraged by Ian Parrott to change to music instead. His Flute Sonatina dates from this period, as does his first Piano Concerto which Mathias performed in front of the composer Edmund Rubbra as part of his undergraduate examination. Mathias graduated from Aberystwyth with a First Class honours degree, and went to study music with Lennox Berkeley at the Royal Academy of Music. These lessons often took place in his tutor's home in Little Venice, where Berkeley would gently encourage Mathias to find his own musical voice rather than pursuing the avant garde.
From the age of five William Mathias started to compose music. By the time he was six he'd also started to learn the piano, and would become a highly accomplished pianist. Mathias was born in Whitland in South Wales, and learnt much about music not only from his mother, but also from the then newly-launched Third Programme. He went to the University of Aberystwyth to study English, French and Philosophy, but was encouraged by Ian Parrott to change to music instead. His Flute Sonatina dates from this period, as does his first Piano Concerto which Mathias performed in front of the composer Edmund Rubbra as part of his undergraduate examination. Mathias graduated from Aberystwyth with a First Class honours degree, and went to study music with Lennox Berkeley at the Royal Academy of Music. These lessons often took place in his tutor's home in Little Venice, where Berkeley would gently encourage Mathias to find his own musical voice rather than pursuing the avant garde.
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