The Classical Guitar Dispatch
A narrative podcast and newsletter about the guitar: a trip to luthier Michael Ritchie, a two-part history of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and more.
Matthew
Cochran
Guitarist, Composer, and Producer
Establishing a bold new repertoire for the guitar in the 21st century, combining elements of romanticism, minimalism, and popular music.
“The pure emotive quality of Cochran’s music pulls you into its embrace and empties your heart with every note.”
No Depression
Concerts
- Florida Music Educators Association All-State Guitar Orchestra
FMEA Professional Learning Conference, Tampa, FL
Premiere of Matthew Cochran’s “Wait For It...” for guitar orchestra - Detroit Guitar Society
Detroit, MI - Kentucky Music Educators Association All-State Guitar Orchestra
KMEA Professional Development Conference, Louisville, KY
Premiere of Matthew Cochran’s “I Rest in the Grace of the World,” after Wendell Berry, for guitar orchestra
Ensemble directors
Banshees, Winter Was Hard, and The Promise of Something New were written for high school, university, and community guitar ensembles. Each is published as a PDF score and parts, playable by a quartet, octet, or a full ensemble, with sample pages on every score page so you can judge the level before you buy.
Cochran & McAllister
Matthew performs often with the Scottish virtuoso Matthew McAllister. Since their first tours of Scotland and the American Midwest in 2023, the duo has become known for accessible programming and an easygoing rapport on stage. Their debut album, Pale Blue Dot, is a tribute to Carl Sagan.
Also from Matthew
Colossal Wreck
A first full-length album of original solo guitar works, to be recorded at the Cathedral Barn in Traverse City in summer 2027, with the premiere recording of the 18-minute sonata after Shelley’s “Ozymandias”.
Sacred Black Records
The label and publisher Matthew founded in 2024. Coming soon: Tom Childs’ Critical Mass, Svanur Vilbergsson’s Icelandic Guitar Music and Matthew McAllister’s Testament.