MATTHEW LARKIN

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One of Canada’s foremost liturgical musicians, Matthew Larkin has served as an organist and choral director at several of Canada’s prominent churches and cathedrals, including the Church of St. John the Divine (Victoria), St. Matthew’s Church (Ottawa), St. James’ Cathedral (Toronto), Christ Church Cathedral (Ottawa), and St. Thomas’s Church (Toronto). He is formerly the music director of the Ottawa Choral Society, Euphonia Chamber Choir, the Anglican Chorale of Ottawa, and the Larkin Singers. In 2017, he founded Caelis Academy Ensemble, an institution that offers young choristers the opportunity to learn about and perform masterpieces of the cathedral and oratorio traditions, in a choral environment supported by professional adult singers and orchestral players. His choirs have toured extensively, and have performed to acclaim in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

Matthew is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and well-known as an accompanist, composer/arranger, educator, recitalist, and recording artist, and has concertized in recital worldwide, and appeared with several of Canada’s finest orchestras. He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Theology from Thorneloe University, and of the HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work with young singers. He is a native of Oxford, immigrating to Canada at a, early age. Matthew was Organ Scholar of Trinity College at the University of Toronto, and attended the Royal College of Music, London. He is represented by Domoney Artists.

Adam Lay Ybounden

by Matthew Larkin

SSA a cappella –  CP 1025   – duration 3:15
Written originally for a small church choir, this piece takes the ancient text and sets it with a mystical angularity, but maintaining a beautiful sense of line. Includes a small soprano solo.

Adam lay ybounden 
Bounden in a bond; 
Four thousand winter, 
Thought he not too long.
And all was for an apple 
An apple that he took. 
As clerkes finden, 
Written in their book.
Ne had the apple taken been 
The apple taken been, 
Ne had never our ladie, 
Abeen heav’ne queen.
Blessed be the time 
That apple taken was, 
Therefore we moun singen. 
Deo gracias!

Suivant Les Étoiles

by Matthew Larkin

SATB a cappella –  CP 2284   – duration 4:35

Warm summer sun,
    Shine kindly here,
Warm southern wind,
    Blow softly here.
Green sod above,
    Lie light, lie light.
Good night, dear heart,
    Good night, good night.
 
Mark Twain (1835 – 1910)

Te Decet Hymnus

by Matthew Larkin

SATB a cappella – double choir –  CP 2285   – duration 4:45

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem:
exaudi orationem meam,
ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
 
A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Zion;
and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem:
hear my prayer;
all flesh shall come to Thee.
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.