Works
This page presents the complete works of Michael Matthews, organized by category. Each entry includes details such as instrumentation, year of composition, duration, and, where available, score excerpts and audio recordings. (Learn more about him here.)
Michael Matthews works are available through both the Canadian Music Centre and Universal Edition. For information about purchasing, renting, or requesting perusal copies of scores, please visit the Scores & Performance Materials page.
You can also read more about Michael Matthews’s chamber, orchestral, and vocal works here.
If you are interested in commissioning a new work or have additional questions, feel free to get in touch.
Thank you for your interest in the music of Michael Matthews.
Selected works by category
The following list represents the full range of Michael Matthews works, grouped by type. Each category links to individual compositions with program notes, audio, and score details.
Large-scale compositions for orchestra and smaller symphonic forces, commissioned by major Canadian and international ensembles.
Works for string quartets, mixed ensembles, and duos, often noted for their rich textures and formal clarity.
Wind Ensemble
Vocal
Theatre
Electroacoustic
Choral
Solo
Young Performers
Orchestral
- 2015 Sechs Mörike Lieder 2.2.2.2. 2.2.0.0. perc. (1) soprano strings
- 2015 Sólo queda el desierto 2.2.2.2. 2.2.0.0. perc. (1) soprano strings
- 2010 Flute Concerto 2(picc).2.2(b.cl).2 4.3.3.1 timp. perc(4). strings
- 2006 The Language of Water 22 Solo Strings
- 2006 Postlude Orchestra
- 2005 Symphony No. 3 2(2=fl/picc).2.2.2 4.2.3.1 timp, perc(2), strings
- 2004 Fire falls, ice falls 2.2.2.2 2.0.0.0 strings
- 2002 Prelude to Macbeth 2.2.2.2 4.2.3.1 timp. perc(4). strings
- 2002 Particles of One 1.1.1.1 1.1.0.0 perc(2). piano; violin solo; strings (1.1.1.1.1)
- 2001 Symphony No. 2 3(3=fl/picc).3(3=ob/E.h).3(3=cl/b.cl).3(3=bsn/c.bsn) 4.3.3.1 timp, perc(4), celesta, harp, strings
- 2001 Cello Concerto 2(1=fl/picc).2.3(3=b.cl).2 4.3.3.1 perc(5), harp, celesta, cello solo, strings
- 1998 Lorca Sketches String Orchestra
- 1998 Concerto Grosso Three Percussionists, String Quartet, String Orchestra
- 1998 Piano Concerto 2.2.2.2 4.3.3.2 timp. 2 perc. harp strings
- 1998 Into the Page of Night 2.2.2.2 4.3.3.1 perc(4). harp strings
- 1997 Symphony No. 1 3(picc.).3(e.h.).3(b.cl.).3(c.bsn.) 4.3.3.1 perc(4) cel. harp strings
- 1996 Two Interludes 3(picc.).3(e.h.).3(b.cl.).3(c.bsn.) 4.3.3.1 perc(3) harp strings
- 1993 Between the Wings of the Earth 1.1.1.1 1.1.0.0 perc(2). strings
- 1990 Landscape Piano Solo, String Orchestra
- 1987 The Far Field Orchestra
- 1984 Stone and Silence Orchestra
- 1982 The Wind Was There Soprano, Orchestra
- 1974 Equinox Chamber Orchestra
Chamber
- 2025 Two Movements for String Sextet 2 violins, 2 violi, 2 celli
- 2021 it is raining gently with light violin, clarinet/bass clarinet, piano
- 2020 till our bodies into the night slip Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, cello, piano
- 2019 perishable light Viola, Viola d’Amore, Percussion
- 2018 A Star of Solitude Soprano, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Viola, Percussion
- 2016 Septet Flute, Oboe, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Violin, Cello, Piano
- 2012 and the sky caught clarinet/bass clarinet, viola, piano
- 2011 String Quartet No. 4 String Quartet
- 2010 Into Its Own Shadow flutes (fl., a.fl., b.fl.), bass clarinet, piano and digital audio
- 2009 Piano Quintet Piano, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello
- 2009 Night Music Violin and Piano
- 2009 From the bench of shadow Saxophone Quartet
- 2008 String Quartet No. 3 String Quartet
- 2008 Zwei Gedichte Voices and Instruments
- 2007 El Viento Helado Woodwind Quintet
- 2007 Einklang Two Pianos
- 2006 Duos for Guitar 2 Guitars
- 2006 The Skin of Night Soprano/Alto Saxophones and Piano
- 2006 Como un cielo caído Fl., Cl., Vn., Vc., Pf.
- 2005 Trios Cl./B.Cl., Bsn., Pf.
- 2005 Violin/Cello Duos, Book I Violin and Cello
- 2004 Piano Quartet Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello
- 2003 Las Blancas Sombras Voice and Guitar
- 2003 String Quartet No. 2 String Quartet
- 2003 Away, Tear Away Woodwind Quintet and Tape
- 2002 across the glass Soprano, Bb Clarinet
- 2002 Duos 2 Celli
- 2002 Hommage à György Kurtág 2 Violins, 2 Celli
- 2001 expecting/the sun Soprano, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Violin, Piano and AXIO Controller
- 2001 Song Fragments Cello and Piano
- 2000 Miniatures String Quartet
- 1999 Images Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello
- 1999 String Quartet No. 1 String Quartet
- 1999 Partita – Images/Fragments Violin and Piano
- 1993 Out of the earth Soprano, Oboe/English Horn, Bass Clarinet/Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Double Bass
- 1992 Dog and Crow (Incidental Music) Tape
- 1991 Four Songs of Japan Soprano, Viola, Fortepiano
- 1990 Songs of the Masked Dancers Soprano, Actor, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Cello, Piano, Tape
- 1988 Songs of Travel Soprano and Cello
- 1988 Wind Sketches 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns, 2 Bassoons
- 1987 Castilla Soprano, Recorder, Harpsichord, Cello
- 1986 Piano Trio Piano, Violin, Cello
- 1985 Into a Long Moment Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano
- 1985 Fantasy Solo Violin
- 1984 Four Studies Clarinet, Percussion, Piano
- 1984 Five Poems of Walt Whitman Soprano, String Quartet
- 1984 Folk Songs Soprano, Violin, Cello, Piano
- 1983 Quis est Deus? Voice, Flute, Clarinet
- 1983 String Quartet String Quartet
- 1983 Rest, Heart of the Tired World Voice, Piano
- 1982 Mosaic Chamber Ensemble
- 1980 Lost, Among Bright Stars Chamber Ensemble
- 1979 If There Are Any Heavens Soprano, Chamber Ensemble
- 1975 Three Songs Mezzo-Soprano, Chamber Ensemble
- 1974 The Hollow Men Tenor, Chamber Ensemble
- 1973 Games Chamber Ensemble
- 1900 Sijo Soprano and Percussion
Wind Ensemble
- 2003 …far off, toward forgetting… Brass Ensemble (4.2.3.1), Percussion (2)
- 2001 The Deeper Sky Picc.; Fl. 1, 2; Ob. 1, 2; Bsn. 1, 2, Cl. 1, 2, 3; Bass Cl.; Eb Contra Alto Cl. Sop. Sax.; Alto Sax.; Ten. Sax.; Bar. Sax. Tpt. 1, 2, 3; Hn. 1, 2, 3, 4; Tbn. 1, 2, 3; Euph.; Tuba Perc. 1, 2, 3, 4
- 1998 Concerto for Percussion Picc.; Fl. 1, 2; Ob.; Eb Cl.; Cl. 1, 2; Eb Alto Cl.; Bass Cl.; Eb Contra Alto Cl.; Bsn. Sop. Sax.; Alto Sax.; Ten. Sax.; Bar. Sax. Tpt. 1, 2, 3, 4; Hn. 1, 2, 3, 4; Tbn. 1, 2, 3, 4 (=Bass Tbn.); Euph.; Tuba Percussion Solo Perc. 1, 2, 3, 4
- 1994 Matrix Fl. 1, 2, 3; Ob.;Bsn.; Cl. 1, 2, 3; Bass Cl. A. Sax. 1, 2; Ten. Sax.; Bar. Sax. Hn. 1, 2, 3, 4; Tpt. 1, 2, 3; Tbn. 1, 2; Bass Tbn.; Tuba Perc. 1, 2, 3, 4; Piano
- 1988 Wind Sketches 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns, 2 Bassoons
- 1984 Prelude Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- 1980 Sinfonia Concertante Wind Ensemble
- 1978 Stones of the Sky Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Vocal
- 2020 Bloody Jack Soprano, Piano
- 2018 A Star of Solitude Soprano, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Viola, Percussion
- 2015 Sechs Mörike Lieder 2.2.2.2. 2.2.0.0. perc. (1) soprano strings
- 2015 Sólo queda el desierto 2.2.2.2. 2.2.0.0. perc. (1) soprano strings
- 2012 Out in the Dark/Silva Myrtea SATB soloists, Chamber Orch.
- 2010 when you leave me mezzo soprano, piano
- 2008 Six Poems of Novica Tadic Mezzo soprano, hp.perc.strings(4.4.2.2.1)
- 2008 Peso Ancestral SATB Choir
- 2008 Zwei Gedichte Voices and Instruments
- 2003 Las Blancas Sombras Voice and Guitar
- 2002 across the glass Soprano, Bb Clarinet
- 2001 expecting/the sun Soprano, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Violin, Piano and AXIO Controller
- 1999 Time Passes Choir (SATB)
- 1997 The Raft Voices, Dancers, String Quartet
- 1996 Deux chansons d’amour Voice and Piano (available in both high and low voice versions)
- 1995 Song of the Sky Soloists and SATB Choir
- 1995 Madrugada Soprano, Five Actors, Flute/Piccolo/Alto Flute, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Violin, Bass, Percussion, Piano, Live Electronics, Tape
- 1995 night prairie SATB Choir
- 1994 Two Night Pieces Countertenor, 2 Tenors, Baritone
- 1994 In Emptiness, Over Emptiness Soprano, Tape, Live Electronics
- 1993 Out of the earth Soprano, Oboe/English Horn, Bass Clarinet/Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Double Bass
- 1992 Birds Soprano, Keyboard, Interactive Computer System, Visuals
- 1992 Rooms of Light SATB Choir
- 1992 Love in a Dry Country Ensemble, Tape, Interactive Computer System, Visuals
- 1991 Four Songs of Japan Soprano, Viola, Fortepiano
- 1990 Songs of the Masked Dancers Soprano, Actor, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Cello, Piano, Tape
- 1988 Songs of Travel Soprano and Cello
- 1987 Castilla Soprano, Recorder, Harpsichord, Cello
- 1986 Dream Songs Soprano, Tenor, Choir (SATB), Piano, Percussion
- 1984 Five Poems of Walt Whitman Soprano, String Quartet
- 1984 Folk Songs Soprano, Violin, Cello, Piano
- 1983 Quis est Deus? Voice, Flute, Clarinet
- 1983 Rest, Heart of the Tired World Voice, Piano
- 1982 The Wind Was There Soprano, Orchestra
- 1979 If There Are Any Heavens Soprano, Chamber Ensemble
- 1975 Three Songs Mezzo-Soprano, Chamber Ensemble
- 1974 The Hollow Men Tenor, Chamber Ensemble
- 1900 Sijo Soprano and Percussion
Theatre
- 2002 Prince Kaspar 5 Singers, Actor, Cl./B.Cl.; Tbn.; 1 Perc.; Vn.; Va.; Cb.; Pf.
- 1999 Ernst Toller: Requiem for an Idea Actor, Solo Cello
- 1997 The Raft Voices, Dancers, String Quartet
- 1995 Madrugada Soprano, Five Actors, Flute/Piccolo/Alto Flute, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Violin, Bass, Percussion, Piano, Live Electronics, Tape
- 1992 Dog and Crow (Incidental Music) Tape
- 1992 Birds Soprano, Keyboard, Interactive Computer System, Visuals
- 1992 The North Revisited Radio Piece
- 1992 Love in a Dry Country Ensemble, Tape, Interactive Computer System, Visuals
- 1991 The Raft (Incidental Music) Tape
- 1990 Songs of the Masked Dancers Soprano, Actor, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Cello, Piano, Tape
- 1978 Time Frames Dancers, Lights, Tape, Two Chamber Orchestras
Electroacoustic
- 2012 Altas Piedras bassoon and digital audio
- 2010 Sky Rings clarinet and digital audio
- 2010 Into Its Own Shadow flutes (fl., a.fl., b.fl.), bass clarinet, piano and digital audio
- 2007 De Reflejo a Fulgor piano and digital audio
- 2003 Away, Tear Away Woodwind Quintet and Tape
- 2001 On the Outer Edge Tape
- 2001 Vertical Garden Flute and Tape
- 2001 expecting/the sun Soprano, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Violin, Piano and AXIO Controller
- 1999 …of the rolling worlds Bass Clarinet and Tape
- 1994 In Emptiness, Over Emptiness Soprano, Tape, Live Electronics
- 1993 Layerings Vibraphone and Tape
- 1992 Music for Ancient Spaces Tape
- 1992 Dog and Crow (Incidental Music) Tape
- 1992 Birds Soprano, Keyboard, Interactive Computer System, Visuals
- 1992 Love in a Dry Country Ensemble, Tape, Interactive Computer System, Visuals
- 1991 The Raft (Incidental Music) Tape
- 1990 Songs of the Masked Dancers Soprano, Actor, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Cello, Piano, Tape
- 1989 The First Sea Bass Clarinet and Tape
- 1981 Woman (Film Score) Tape
- 1978 Time Frames Dancers, Lights, Tape, Two Chamber Orchestras
- 1975 Antipodes Tape
- 1974 Abintra Tape
- 1973 Beginnings Tape
- 1972 Study Musique Concrète
Choral
- 2008 Peso Ancestral SATB Choir
- 1999 Time Passes Choir (SATB)
- 1995 Song of the Sky Soloists and SATB Choir
- 1995 night prairie SATB Choir
- 1994 Two Night Pieces Countertenor, 2 Tenors, Baritone
- 1992 Rooms of Light SATB Choir
- 1986 Dream Songs Soprano, Tenor, Choir (SATB), Piano, Percussion
Solo
- 2012 Altas Piedras bassoon and digital audio
- 2010 Sky Rings clarinet and digital audio
- 2007 De Reflejo a Fulgor piano and digital audio
- 2007 Einklang Two Pianos
- 2006 Bagatelles Piano
- 2001 Vertical Garden Flute and Tape
- 1999 Fantasy/Nocturne Piano
- 1999 Ernst Toller: Requiem for an Idea — Fantasy for Solo Cello Solo Cello
- 1999 …of the rolling worlds Bass Clarinet and Tape
- 1997 Postlude Piano
- 1994 Preludes Piano
- 1994 In Emptiness, Over Emptiness Soprano, Tape, Live Electronics
- 1993 Layerings Vibraphone and Tape
- 1993 Scattered Mirrors Piano
- 1990 Of Time and Sky Piano
- 1989 The First Sea Bass Clarinet and Tape
- 1985 Fantasy Solo Violin
- 1983 Elegy Piano
- 1981 Suite Guitar
For Young Performers
- 2002 Wondering Viola
- 1996 Velocity Bass Clarinet, String Orchestra
- 1990 Three Echoes String Orchestra