The score to Colin Matthews' Concerto for Cello No.1
Premiered at the BBC Proms in 1984, Matthews' first concerto for cello is an extravagantly coloured collaboration between soloist and orchestra. Though packed with virtuosity, Matthews makes orchestra and soloist keen partners, with the cello often commenting on the action rather than acting as protagonist across its 30-minute duration, divided across a wilder Scherzo-Notturno a searching Adagio. The soloist weaves their way through the various layers of Matthews' rich and imaginative orchestration, which comes together in a luminous, soaring conclusion.