Programme: The Cathedral - Guitar Recital

Passacaglia - S.L Weiss (1686 -1750)

Prelude from BWV 997 - J.S Bach (1685 - 1750)

La Catedral (1921) - A.B Barrios (1885 - 1944)
1. Preludio Saudade
2. Andante Religioso
3. Allegro Solemne

The Road To Damascus (2014) - M.Sear (b.1975)

1. Introduction
2. The Journey
3. Changes

-- Interval --

Dance Of The Miller from the three cornered hat (1919) - M. de Falla (1876 - 1946)

Homage To Debussy (1939) - M. de Falla (1876 - 1946)

Cinq Preludes (1941) - H. Villa Lobos (1887 - 1959)

Spanish Dance no 4 (Villanesca) - E. Granados (1867 - 1916)

Variations On A Theme By Mozart - F.Sor (1778 - 1839)

Matthew Sear, guitar

Matthew Sear, guitarist

Website: http://www.matthewsearguitarist.co.uk/

“...a fine composer and guitarist with a chameleon like talent...”
Fanfare Magazine USA (2014)

London born musician Matthew Sear is a guitarist and composer noted for performances and compositions that borrow from a variety of musical traditions.

He gave his London classical guitar debut on Valentine’s Day 2006, at St Paul’s church, Covent Garden and has since performed concert venues; including St James’ Piccadilly, St Martin In The Fields and St John’s Smith Square. Matthew is also a proud member of ‘music in hospitals’ - a charity that provides live music for all ages, in a hospital environment.

In addition to performances in his native country, over the decade, he has toured extensively, giving recitals throughout North America and Europe - and was recently featured in the magazines, ‘Classical Guitar’ and ‘Fanfare’ - the later singling out his composition ‘The America Suite’ for it’s fusing of bluegrass, jazz and flamenco, in a classical idiom.

Recording and Composing

Matthew’s work as a composer includes music for solo instruments as well as various instrument ensembles and his music has been performed live at St Martin-In-The-Fields 'New Music Series' for young composers, St James’ Piccadily - and most recently at the Edinburgh (UK), Adelaide (Australia) and Toronto (Canada) Fringe Festivals.

Reviewer Melinda Hughes (from Broadwaybaby.Com) writing ... “America by Matthew Sear, created an an atmosphere containing both the bustling New York Metropolis and hints of Southern Bluegrass that was very characterful.”

As well as concert performances, his music has been performed on a variety of indie and mainstream stations: including the BBC & SW1 FM (U.K), Radio Eskilstuna (Sweden) as well as various internet stations.

Matthew is currently involved writing music for a brand new comedy series ‘The Magic Pills Of Petts Wood’ starring The Office’s Ewen Macintosh.

Life and Jazz

Inspired by the jazz pianist and Harpsichordist Keith Jarrett, Matthew enjoys a dual career as a classical and jazz guitarist, performing as a part of the String Theory gypsy jazz Quartet and as a solo artist, recently supporting jazz/fusion artists John Etheridge and performing alongside Jazz guitar legend Howard Alden (‘Sweet and Lowdown’ - Sean Penn), in 2016.

Summing Matthew up, Lulo Reinhardt, (the grand son of gypsy jazz founder Django Reinhardt) remarked
“...Matthew is simply a great guitarist, a classical musician with a contemporary outlook...”

Matthew lives happily with his wife Suzanne in South East London, a musician in her own right. In addition to classical and world music, they share a passion for cinema, string theory, autism and English football. Honouring his beloved late mum, as well as being a passionate Chelsea fan, he also is a keen Liverpool supporter, where she was from.