William Mathias (1934-92)

[vandermolen]

Keep trying,maybe?! I found some of her music a little,severe,at first! I've just been bowled over,by her Missa Cambrensis,though;after listening to the cd-r,I made,some time ago,of the (fairly) recent performance;which,alas,will never reach a planned,Lyrita,cd!! (Available for download,at the Art Music Forum,by the way,if anyone's interested,in very good sound quality?!)

She is one of a number of Welsh composers whose music I find very appealing, including Daniel Jones (everything I have heard) Alun Hoddinott (selected works) and William Mathias (selected works).

[Daverz]

I rather like the idea of the Zeppelin hangar acoustic!

So you're the one Nimbus was trying please.    (They've gotten much better in recent years.)

[vandermolen]

So you're the one Nimbus was trying please.    (They've gotten much better in recent years.)

[Christo]

Mathias doesn't get discussed as much as other British composers here, but I've really enjoyed exploring his output recently. His compositional voice is unique and instantly recognizable - his works are notable for their very colorful orchestration, with particularly extensive and arresting use of the percussion (especially of the tuned variety). The composer whose style he's closest to is probably Tippett in his more atmospheric, "magical" works (e.g. the Piano Concerto), but Mathias generally uses dissonance more lightly than him. Perhaps his music lacks the "heart" of, say, Arnold or Lloyd, but it is all very engaging and accessible. All three of his symphonies are excellent - the 1st has a particularly gorgeous slow movement with prominent orchestral piano part, the 2nd (Summer Music) has a most magically mysterious opening and a riotously energetic finale, and 3rd is the darkest (yet still colorful) of the three. Also, his Harp Concerto is quite mesmerizing - one of the finest in the genre along with those by Ginastera, Gliere, and Jongen - and his Clarinet Concerto is great as well with an infectiously jazzy finale.

I took this - and other confessions here in reply - for an incentive to play the three symphonies again, after at least two decades. Hopefully today, and the glorious Lux Aeterna afterwards. #manythanks 

[vandermolen]

I took this - and other confessions here in reply - for an incentive to play the three symphonies again, after at least two decades. Hopefully today, and the glorious Lux Aeterna afterwards. #manythanks 

I like No.1 very much but know little else. What should be my next port-of-call for Mathias?

[Christo]

I like No.1 very much but know little else. What should be my next port-of-call for Mathias?

I'm not the one to ask - still have to dive into this composer. But do you happen to know this disc? Both Hoddinott's and Mathias 'Celtic', Welsh, and other dances are very competitve with the best by Malcolm Arnold. (And the Welsh Youth Orchestra sounding very professional).

[cilgwyn]

I like No.1 very much but know little else. What should be my next port-of-call for Mathias?

Don't you like his Piano Concertos? I think they're great! I remember catching one of them on the way to Tesco. On my pocket radio! (No DAB,a knob for tuning!). I kept thinking! What's that? What's that? I had some idea it might be an American composer,as there seemed to be some 'jazzy' rhythms. Or even,Ginastera,at one point!! It turned out to be his Piano Concerto No 3. I would thoroughly recommend the Somm cd. There's Lux Aeterna;which Christo recommends. I was really,'blown away',by that,as they say!! And then there's the Lyrita cd of choral works. I also think the Nimbus cd of his third symphony is very good. I would rate the third above his Second. Although,I like that! I'd go for the Piano Concertos and Lux Aeterna first,though,if it was me? But you aren't!!!

[Roy Bland]

I'm not the one to ask - still have to dive into this composer. But do you happen to know this disc? Both Hoddinott's and Mathias 'Celtic', Welsh, and other dances are very competitve with the best by Malcolm Arnold. (And the Welsh Youth Orchestra sounding very professional).

Wonderful disc.

[vandermolen]

I'm not the one to ask - still have to dive into this composer. But do you happen to know this disc? Both Hoddinott's and Mathias 'Celtic', Welsh, and other dances are very competitve with the best by Malcolm Arnold. (And the Welsh Youth Orchestra sounding very professional).

Yes, very nice disc which I only acquired recently.

[vandermolen]

Don't you like his Piano Concertos? I think they're great! I remember catching one of them on the way to Tesco. On my pocket radio! (No DAB,a knob for tuning!). I kept thinking! What's that? What's that? I had some idea it might be an American composer,as there seemed to be some 'jazzy' rhythms. Or even,Ginastera,at one point!! It turned out to be his Piano Concerto No 3. I would thoroughly recommend the Somm cd. There's Lux Aeterna;which Christo recommends. I was really,'blown away',by that,as they say!! And then there's the Lyrita cd of choral works. I also think the Nimbus cd of his third symphony is very good. I would rate the third above his Second. Although,I like that! I'd go for the Piano Concertos and Lux Aeterna first,though,if it was me? But you aren't!!!

Ok, thanks very much cigwyn. I don't recall his piano concertos at all, so it will be No.3 next and Lux Aeterna.

[kyjo]

I like No.1 very much but know little else. What should be my next port-of-call for Mathias?

In addition to the other two symphonies I highly recommend the Harp Concerto. I don't know the piano concerti (yet).

[vandermolen]

In addition to the other two symphonies I highly recommend the Harp Concerto. I don't know the piano concerti (yet).

Thanks Kyle.

[Symphonic Addict]

Superb. Simply superb pieces. I could consider them like the best string quartets from Wales (even over the Jones). It seemed that each quartet was better than the previous one, although I found the No. 2 more awesome and memorable. The 2nd movement is to die for, absolutely beautiful. Loved the gestures and sonorities on the whole work. The 1st quartet is in one movement and it's dark, somber, and always engrossing. The No. 3 possesses angst and also has quite arresting sonorities and a captivating development.

All in all, no dull moments at all. Definitely another disc that goes to my best revelations this year. The only bad thing is the rather weird cover art. 

[vandermolen]

Superb. Simply superb pieces. I could consider them like the best string quartets from Wales (even over the Jones). It seemed that each quartet was better than the previous one, although I found the No. 2 more awesome and memorable. The 2nd movement is to die for, absolutely beautiful. Loved the gestures and sonorities on the whole work. The 1st quartet is in one movement and it's dark, somber, and always engrossing. The No. 3 possesses angst and also has quite arresting sonorities and a captivating development.

All in all, no dull moments at all. Definitely another disc that goes to my best revelations this year. The only bad thing is the rather weird cover art. 

Interesting Cesar. I should investigate more Mathias but love Symphony 1. Yes, the cover  image is awful! It looks like an image of the composer printed from a photocopier which is running out of toner and needs a replacement cartridge.

[André]

Coincidentally, reading this while listening to the Nimbus disc with symph. No 3 on it.

Thanks for your post, Cesar. I've ordered the quartets (very reasonable price). 

[Symphonic Addict]

Interesting Cesar. I should investigate more Mathias but love Symphony 1. Yes, the cover  image is awful! It looks like an image of the composer printed from a photocopier which is running out of toner and needs a replacement cartridge.

Haha it had to be like that.

[Symphonic Addict]

Coincidentally, reading this while listening to the Nimbus disc with symph. No 3 on it.

Thanks for your post, Cesar. I've ordered the quartets (very reasonable price). 

I hope you enjoy it, André, as much (or more) as I do.

[André]

I hope you enjoy it, André, as much (or more) as I do.

Yes I did. Just posted comments in the WAYL2 thread.

P.S. The 'out of toner cartridge' comment is spot on. 

[André]

I know it has nothing to do here, but I could not let this coincidence pass without mentioning it:



This excellent series' main character is one DCI Mathias and is set in Aberysthwyth, Mid-Wales, with one episode featuring composer William Mathias's alma mater, University of Wales, Aberysthwyth. Recommended.

There. Now you know.   

[vandermolen]

I know it has nothing to do here, but I could not let this coincidence pass without mentioning it:



This excellent series' main character is one DCI Mathias and is set in Aberysthwyth, Mid-Wales, with one episode featuring composer William Mathias's alma mater, University of Wales, Aberysthwyth. Recommended.

There. Now you know.   

Will look out for it!