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Recordings

Michael Matthews – Recordings

This curated selection showcases the music of Canadian composer Michael Matthews, from meditative solo works to expansive orchestral compositions. Each album represents a collaboration between composer and performer — an exchange of artistic sensibilities captured in sound.

These recordings feature distinguished soloists, ensembles, and orchestras from Canada and beyond, offering varied perspectives on Matthews’ compositional voice — lyrical, textural, and structurally refined. Whether in a concert hall or through headphones, the music invites spacious, attentive listening.

Many albums are available on streaming platforms or as part of curated collections. Where possible, links are provided for further exploration. For performers and programmers, these recordings serve as a reference and a living archive of interpretation.

Bloody Jack

Michael Matthews – Bloody Jack album cover

Featuring

Navona Records, 2024. Performed by Dawn Bruch-Wiens and Laura Loewen.
Available from Navona Records or Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

String Quartets of Michael Matthews

Michael Matthews – String Quartets album cover

Featuring

Ravello Records, 2015. Performed by The Clearwater Quartet

Available from Ravello Records, Amazon.com

Metropolis

CD cover image of Metropolis. Recorded by the Harrington-Loewen Duo. Featuring The Skin of Night by Michael Matthews

Featuring

Ravello Records, 2014. Performed by Allen Harrington and Laura Loewen.
Available from

Ravello Records or ArkivMusic or Amazon.com or Amazon.ca or iTunes or eclassical.

Flying

Michael Matthews – Vertical Garden album cover

Featuring

Cero Records, 2012. Performed by Alejandro Escuer.
Selected Best Contemporary Classical Album, 13th Annual Independent Music Awards.

Available from iTunes

Preludes and Bagatelles

Michael Matthews – Preludes and Bagatelles album cover

Featuring

Daan Vandewalle, Piano

Parma Records 2011.  Available from: ArkivMusic or  Amazon.ca or Amazon.com or Amazon.de or Amazon.uk or iTunes or eclassical or Classical Archives.

Rubbing Stone

Michael Matthews – The Skin of Night album cover

Featuring

Released in 2009 by Centrediscs. Performed by Jeremy Brown and Ami Longhi.

Western Canadian Music Association nomination: Classical Recording of the Year.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre or All Music or Amazon.com or iTunes.

Cult Figures

Michael Matthews – On the Outer Edge album cover

Featuring

Centrediscs, 2008.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre or Amazon.com or iTunes.

Sueños de una America (Dreams for one America)

Michael Matthews – Away, Tear Away album cover

Featuring

Quindecim Recordings, 2006.

Performed by the Mexico City Woodwind Quintet.

Presence III

Michael Matthews – On the Outer Edge album cover

Featuring

Canadian Electroacoustic Community, 2002.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre.

10 by 8

Michael Matthews – Postlude album cover

Featuring

Catalina Records, 2001. Performed by Peter Vinograde.

Available by e-mail from Peter Vinograde.

Out of the Earth

Michael Matthews – Symphony No.1, Out of the Earth album cover

Featuring

TNC Recordings, 2001. Performed by the Kiev Camerata Orchestra, Virko Baley, conductor, Therese Costes, soprano.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre or AMG or Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

Variations...Beyond Pierrot

Centaur Records (USA) [CDCM series], 1999. Performed by Thira; Michael Matthews, electronics.

The International Computer Music Association commission awards, 1994-96

Michael Matthews — In Emptiness, Over Emptiness album cover

Featuring

Centaur Records (USA) [CDCM series], 1997. Performed by Therese Costes; produced by Michael Matthews.

Adventures of Piano Woman

Michael Matthews – Scattered Mirrors album cover

Featuring

New Music Manitoba, 1997. Performed by Shirley Sawatzky; produced by Andrea Ratuski.

Of Time and Sky

Michael Matthews – Of Time and Sky album cover

Featuring

Underdog Records [in collaboration with CBC], 1996. Performed by Peter Vinograde; produced by Sandra Thacker.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre

Between the Wings of the Earth

Michael Matthews – Between the Wings of the Earth album cover

Featuring

BIS records, 1995.
Performed by Simon Streatfeild and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre or ArkivMusic or Amazon.com
or AMG or Amazon.co.uk or eclassical.

The Composer in the Computer Age--II

Michael Matthews – The First Sea album cover

Featuring

Centaur Records (USA) [CDCM series], 1994. Performed by Lori Freedman; produced by Michael Matthews.

Available from ArkivMusic or Amazon.com
or Amazon.ca or AMG.

Vistas

Michael Matthews – The Far Field album cover

Featuring

Canadian Music Centre, 1994. Performed by Kazuhiro Koizumi and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Passage Through Time

Michael Matthews – Songs of the Masked Dancers album cover

Featuring

New Music Manitoba, 1990. Performed by Thira; produced by Randy Barnard.

Jeté: Music for Violin

Michael Matthews – Fantasy album cover

Featuring

Manitoba Composers Association, 1989. Performed by Victor Schultz; produced by Randy Barnard.

Available from the Canadian Music Centre