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The English-born choral conductor and organist, Matthew Larkin, immigrated to Canada at an early age. He spent his childhood in Kingston, Ontario, where he received his early musical instruction in singing, piano and organ playing, as well as liturgical composition. He later attended the University of Toronto (as Organ Scholar of Trinity College) where he studied with John Tuttle, and the Royal College of Music, London, where he studied with Nicholas Danby.
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 (May 1987-July 1995), St. Matthew’s Church Ottawa (July 1995-August 2002), St. James’ Cathedral Toronto, Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa (August 2003-August 2017), and St. Thomas’s Church Toronto (August 2017-January 2019). He is formerly Music Director of the Ottawa Choral Society (June 2005-December 2011; in this post he introduced many new works into the choir's repertoire, collaborating frequently with the National Arts Centre), Euphonia Chamber Choir, the Anglican Chorale of Ottawa, and the Larkin Singers. In 2017, he founded Caelis Academy Ensemble, Ottawa, 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. He is also Principal Family Conductor of the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, and maintains a busy calendar of recital, conducting, and collaborative projects. He lead the Choir of Men and Boys of Christ Church Cathedral on several cathedral residencies in the UK, including Ely, Salisbury, and St. Paul's Cathedrals, and Westminster Abbey. His choirs have toured extensively, and have performed to acclaim in Canada, the USA, the UK, and France.
As a choral and orchestral conductor, Matthew Larkin has lead performances of a wide range of oratorio and symphonic works. Performances in recent seasons include conducting George Frideric Handel's Israel in Egypt with Caelis Academy Ensemble, Carmina Burana with Ottawa Choral Society (piano), a solo recital of Messaien’s organ works with Toronto’s Confluence Concerts, as well as J.S. Bach's St. John Passion BWV 245 (organ) with Ottawa Choral Society, and Charpentier’s Messe des morts (organ) with Ottawa Bach Choir.
Matthew Larkin 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. A published composer, his music has been performed and recorded worldwide, including the USA, the UK, France, Italy, and China, and he is frequently in demand as an instrumental and choral arranger. He has worked extensively with instrumental ensembles as soloist and guest conductor, and has appeared as organist with the Gabrieli Consort, and with several of Canada’s finest orchestras, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Theatre of Early Music, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has been featured as solo guest artist and collaborator with many of Canada's summer music festivals, including Ottawa's Chamberfest, the Elora Festival, and the Music and Beyond Festival.
Matthew Larkin 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 represented by Domoney Artists. |
