Concerto in Azzurro, Op.87

Category		Orchestral > Concertos
Composed		2000-2002
Duration (approx)		21 minutes
Parts		Cello, orchestra: 2(II=picc). 2(II=ca). 2(II=bcl). 2 - 4231 - timp - perc(2): vib/glsp/2 susp. cym/ch.cym/gong/tam-t/ tgl/rainstick/chinese bell tree/BD - harp - cel - strings
Recording(s)		Matthews: Orchestral Works
Publisher		Faber Music
Commission		BBC for the National Orchestra of Wales
First performance		5 October 2002
Venue		Cheltenham Town Hall
Orchestra / Ensemble		BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Conductor		Richard Hickox
Soloists / Players		Steven Isserlis (cello)
Review		Paul Conway, The Independent, 15 October 2002
		Concerto in Azzurro for cello and orchestra derives from a holiday spent on the Island of Lundy, and a vision of blueness there. This is represented at the concerto’s conclusion in a magical evocation, as soloist and orchestra’s convergence on B flat, and the swish of a rainstick, open up a vision of an everlasting sea and sky suffused.