Matt H. Doran

“A review from Timothy S. on Amazon.com: "I have a taste for double reeds, and a taste for the lower musical registers. The bassoon is nice; Mozart did his usual best to compose music for it, particularly his Concerto for Bassoon. Unfortunately, the contrabassoon did not yet exist when Wolfgang was alive. And to find music for the contrabassoon is difficult indeed! The music of this CD is fresh, encouraging, and oh, so deep. When the soloist goes to the lowest notes, they are sometimes hard to distinguish from those off a double bass. To me, this music is a dream come true.... I'll wallow in Ms. Nigro's work, wishing I could play that wonderful double reed, and thanking providence that someone can, and so well!"”

“Beautiful. A very fitting tribute to his daughter, as jujubeebop said.”

“A nice flute! It deserves a recomandation!”

“In this middle movement, the andante 'walking' pace leaves more space for a wandering and slowly unfolding exchange of ideas between instruments. Listen to how the marimba sometimes creates a suspenseful backdrop to the foreground instruments. ”

“The musical drama comes to full fruition in this final movement of Matt Doran's Third Symphony. Be sure to download the entire symphonic work for full enjoyment and appreciation of the depth and breadth of the journey. This piece makes a fine addition to your classical music collection.”

“Much like a 20th century film score, Matt Doran's Third Symphony is moving and ever changing. At times the strings are sweeping and melodic, while at others the horns charge in with dramatic flair that belies a Star Trek episode. This first movement has moments of beautiful solos throughout... flute, oboe, clarinet, mallets and more. Given this fine performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in October of 2004, directed by Salvador Brotons, Matt Doran's Third Symphony has received the widest acclaim of all five of his symphonic works. Highly recommended for any classical music library.”

“Starts out eery and somber on the piano then moves through an impressionist musical landscape, joined by flute, marimba and trombone all at once. Soon each instrument takes the stage with their own highlighted solos, sometimes moving through poignant passages, sometimes frenetic meanderings... all to end with a definite oomph. An interesting piece for certain. ”

“This string-filled movement of Matt Doran's Third Symphony journeys through ponderous and thoughtful scenes of great beauty, while sometimes taking side roads down mysterious hidden paths of eery melancholy, surprising at each turn. If you like this movement, you are sure to also enjoy his one-movement masterpiece: In Memory of Marianne.”