Matthew McLachlan

Join award-winning pianist Matthew McLachlan for an afternoon of classical repertoire.

https://matthewmclachlan.co.uk/

Chetham’s School of Music alumnus Matthew McLachlan was awarded the C. Bechstein scholarship to continue his studies at the Royal College of Music with professor Dina Parakhina.

Recipient of numerous awards, Matthew has performed as concerto soloist and recitalist in Poland, Serbia, Italy, Spain, Germany, France and throughout the UK. In July of 2021 Matthew was awarded 1st prize in the Royal College of Music Chappell Medal piano competition and the Esther Fisher prize for best undergraduate performance. Last year, Matthew was a finalist in the Isidor Bajic International Piano Competition and awarded 1st prize in the Bromsgrove International Musicians Competition.

Chopin Programme:

Fantasy in F minor op 49

Polonaise in E flat minor

Scherzo no 2 in B flat minor

Waltz no 3 in A minor

Four Etudes:Op. 10 no. 9 in F minor

Op. 25 no. 1 in A flat major

Op. 25 no. 9 in G flat major

Op. 25 no. 10 in B minor

Ballade no 1 in G minor

Some of Matthew' recordings and an interview:

Interview:

https://youtu.be/IZR6TVo7XUQ?si=ynU8TZJEwY0tnEZy

Mixed recital including Brahms Sonata no 1 and Stravinsky ‘Petrushka’:

https://www.youtube.com/live/ka8gZUYmCBs?si=4KUtJ1k102-6Cn_J

Schumann Papillons:

https://youtu.be/lG7nfYxWhsY?si=LoUfxOBOWlij3nxg

Scriabin Sonata no 7 ‘White Mass’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QryCsH3LpeI

St Mary’s Perivale- 50 minute recital from 2023:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka8gZUYmCBs

Recital from 2022:

https://www.youtube.com/live/xnMUg9GveRI?si=JozlUW17BotZeDyu

ORCHESTRAL REVIEW - The High Peak Orchestra, St John’s Buxton, 14 July 2018:

Brian K W Lightowler ‘Highlight of both this evening’s concert was undoubtedly the Tchaikovsky ‘1st Piano Concerto’ performance of Matthew McLachlan. At 18 years of age, Matthew has an impressive catalogue of musical achievements behind him. He quite evidently has a musically motivated family and whist one reads about his educational opportunities at Wells and Cheethams and his prodigious success in exams and key prize winnings, recent years have seen him promoted in numerous recitals with repertoire firmly securing his place in top professional ranks. We rarely hear playing of Matthew’s calibre in Buxton even from the celebrities. He is in full command of the magnificent grand piano which was tonight generously provided by Kawai. As a sign of genius his playing seemed effortless whilst in pulling out all the dynamics and virtuosity of this extremely demanding piece, which is only contemplated by but a handful of the top pianists internationally.

The first movement of Tchaikovsky 1 starts with bold chords from the horn chorus, very exposed, oh well. Then the big sound statement, chords up and down the keyboard with huge panache and flamboyance left us in no doubt about the flavour for the piece to follow. The tempo was taken at a brisk pace adding a brilliance to Matthew’s performance. As the 2nd subject launched by the piano, the accompanying strings were only just hanging in there, and throughout the piano lead the way with the diabolically difficult runs played with pin-point accuracy to dramatic climaxes with the accompanying orchestra close on his tail. The dramatic and furious double octave passages contrasting the drama of sudden serenity with the leggiero passages evoking mountain streams or whatever, were absolutely brilliant. The dramatic heavy brass entry, nicely in time with 3 trombones, 2 trumpets (and a curiously vacant seat for this piece), taken up by the strings valiantly sawing away was exciting enough until the powerful piano entry totally upstaged the band, taking the piece into overdrive. And then with amazing composure Matthew returned the hall to tranquility.

The second movement did allow the orchestra have a moment of glory with lovely flute solo stating the theme beautifully, backed with a clear tone from the oboe and the 2 cellos on the front desk adding a very smooth melody. The prestissimo section again gave the floor to pianistic virtuosity. The third movement which has echoes of Eastern European folk tunes sounded tricky with some quick interjections “round the band” following the rapid fire phrases from the piano. Sounded like a game of “throw and catch the ball” at break-neck speed. Great fun to listen to and wonderfully done. I think the orchestra would have been happier with a steadier tempo and again the strings were just about hanging in there but it was worth the pain! In this gargantuan piano work with arguably the best writing in the repertoire, at the grand finale, just as it seems to be all over the piano comes back with some more excitement and in Matthew’s case to “bring the house down”. A sigh of relief that the band didn’t disgrace themselves in the presence of a virtuoso. Matthew McLachlan is a name to look out for!’