Matthews, Denis (James)

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Matthews, Denis (James)

Matthews, Denis (James) , English pianist, teacher, and writer on music; b. Coventry, Feb. 27, 1919; d. (suicide) Birmingham, Dec. 24, 1988. He studied with Harold Craxton (piano) and Alwyn (composition) at the Royal Academy of Music in London (1935–40). He made his London debut in 1939. During World War II, he served in the Royal Air Force while continuing to make appearances as a pianist; after the war, he toured throughout the world. Matthews was the first prof. of music at the Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne (1971–84). In 1975 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Writings

In Pursuit of Music (autobiography; London, 1966); Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas (London, 1967); Arturo Toscanini (Tunbridge Wells and N.Y., 1982); Beethoven (London, 1985).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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