“Matthew Barley is probably the world’s most adventurous cellist!” Glasgow Herald 2006
Matthew’s musical world is one of adventure, collaboration, and diversity.
One of the finest cellists of his generation, Matthew has appeared as soloist with orchestra and in recital in many great concert halls around the world, and is equally comfortable with improvisation (one of his musical passions, along with Bach Suites, new music and education), or making music with Indian, Sufi, African, Jazz musicians, or London’s Grime MCs.
…”nice spirit, i like the Barley touch!!! between an intimate chamber concert, a gipsy pub and a cosy jam session! oh yeaaah” (About the Peasant Girl in Paris)
I really liked that, because it couldn’t be more what I am aiming for in my concerts! Thanks Gabriel!
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A highly varied programme tonight in the small hall of Amsterdam’s fabulous Concertgebouw. From Bach, Brahms and Debussy, through Tsintsadze, Gershwin and De Falla, to Metcalfe and improvisations with electronics and video. It will be such a pleasure to play in that sumptious acoustic - tonight is the first time playing with v talented Latvian pianist Reinis Zarins.
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If you click here at 7pm (8pm French time) tonight, you will be able to watch our Peasant Girl performance with Viktoria Mullova, live from the Louvre Auditorium in Paris.
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Looking ahead at the diary it looks busy, exciting, challenging…
One of the highlights will be the Music Nation weekend that starts the lead up to the Cultural Olympiad. On Saturday 3rd March I will be premiering Tunde Jegede’s new concerto with Sinfonia Viva in Derby, and the following day playing Fraser Trainer’s concerto, The Duke’s Cut, with the BBC Phil in Manchester. Both of the pieces will feature improvisation in them, which is a wonderful experience with an orchestra behind you. Two new concertos in two days will stretch me, to say the least.
Also really looking forward to being Associate Artist with the Spitalfields Festival in June. I’ve always admired the festival for their imaginative approach, and the way they manage to somehow get the grit of the East End in their programming!
There are many more Peasant Girl concerts this year, including one in the White Nights of St Petersburg which is going to be absolutely fantastic - I haven’t been there during the summer for over 20 years.
I’m hoping to do some writing/recording this year of my own material, as well as recording Britten in Canterbury Cathedral for release in the Britten Centenary year, 2013, when I’m planning a huge tour of the UK. I’ll be posting some news of that soon.
But for now, Happy New Year to all!!!
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The DVD of The Making of the Peasant Girl is now out, available on Amazon. It’s a beautifully shot documentary made as we filmed at Abbey Road last year, by veteran BBC film maker Richard Taylor. A nice review already at the bottom of this page on the arts desk
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