MATTHEW LAU

MANCHESTER BASED PIANIST

Recitalist, teacher and researcher

ABOUT

Matthew is an accomplished pianist having been awarded 1st place at the Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano competition to become the first winner of the competition from the Junior Royal Northern College of Music and reaching the final of the prestigious RNCM Gold Medal Competition. He has enjoyed playing in various concerts series and recitals across the UK, such as Chester Wesley Church, Chester Music Society, Wigan Music Society, Manchester St Ann's Church, Nantwich, Ealing St Barnabas Church and the Leigh Music Society. Matthew’s performances are not just limited to recital settings having played in an RNCM Research forum given by Dr Denis Herlin and for a lecture by the Verdun Allen Music Foundation on the works of Debussy and Ravel.

At a young age, Matthew started performing at JRNCM where he had the opportunity to take part in the RNCM Keyboard Day, informal and formal lunchtime concerts. He continued his studies at the RNCM graduating with a first class honours degree and a Masters with distinction. Since his first year as a JRNCM student, Matthew studied with John Gough but has also had the pleasure of playing to established artists, such as Kathryn Stott, Jean Efflam Bavouzet, Pascal Rogé and Trio Gaspard. Matthew is now conducting doctoral research at the RNCM on the 20th Century composer Charles Griffes. His PhD aims to be the first project to record the complete piano works with the inclusion of world premieres.

In addition to his work as a soloist, Matthew is a keen collaborative pianist and has a particular interest in vocal repertoire ranging from French, German, English to Spanish song. His work with singers covers a mixture of styles and led to innovative performances in the RNCM Spotlight Concert Series. Matthew is also an accompanist for the Cantare Ladies Choir.

Since graduating he has become a highly sought after teacher. Matthew teaches privately and at the Keys Piano School. He also has returned to the Junior RNCM as one of the youngest piano teacher on the faculty.