About Matthew Rickard

Matthew Rickard studied at the University of Surrey and the Royal Academy of Music with Clive Williamson and Michael Dussek, and has a busy performing career as both soloist and chamber musician. Matthew has performed in many venues up and down the UK and has also given concerts in France, Holland and Ireland. He has recorded several critically-acclaimed CDs for the EM Records label with the violinist Rupert Marshall-Luck. One reviewer described the duo's playing as "fiery, to the point of molten", whilst another described Matthew's playing as "heroically impressive". Their first disc, featuring music by Arthur Bliss, York Bowen and Henry Walford Davies (EMRCD001) was selected by the website MusicWeb International as one of their "recordings of the year 2011". Matthew has also recorded a disc of chamber works by the contemporary composer John Pickard for the Toccata Classics label.

Matthew has performed live on BBC Radio 3's "In Tune" programme, and has been instrumental in setting up a professional recital series at his local church, St. Peter's in Old Woking. As an orchestral pianist he was worked with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Moscow City Ballet and he also accompanied many choral groups including Constanza Chorus, Guildford Opera, Hart Voices, Royal Free Music Society and the Rushmoor Choir. Matthew teaches the piano at Longacre Preparatory School in Shamley Green in Surrey, and also has a private teaching practice.

For more information, please visit Matthew's website at http://www.matthewrickard.co.uk