Score and parts for hire

There is no special resonance in revisiting words written exactly a century ago, but Rilke's ability to transform the ordinary into something transcendent has not lost anything of its power in the intervening years since the Neue Gedichte - 'New Poems' - were written, in 1907 and 1908. Their title, plain though it is, reflects the change of direction that Rilke felt he was taking, towards a new subtlety and intimacy.

I have set these three linked poems as a short unbroken cycle, the introspection of the first two opening into new directions in the third. The Island was composed in 2007 as a gift for Claire Booth and the Nash Ensemble. I am grateful to Carcanet Press for permission to use Stephen Cohn's exceptional translation.

Colin Matthews

‘Matthews achieves a subtly evocative effect with alto flute and horn cushioned by three string instruments, all underpinned by low-register pedal points on harp and piano. His word-setting has a natural and eloquent lyricism.’
The Evening Standard (Barry Millington), 13 March 2008

‘A pure charmer. The soprano span haunting vocal lines over an atmospheric accompaniment.’
The Financial Times (Richard Fairman), 14 March 2008

‘Sparely scored and atmospheric in their evocation of a lonely location in the North Sea, the songs set Rilke’s texts with clarity and succinctness.’
The Guardian (George Hall), 14 March 2008

‘Rilke at his most spare and intimate and Matthews at his most pellucid and confidingly cool… the instrumental accompaniment [is] dark-toned, fleeting, lightly touched-in…’
The Times (Hilary Finch), 18 March 2008