Description
Solo Guitar: Matthew Cochran in Concert
2026 Season – Oklahoma City
The Performance
Join us for an evening with guitarist, composer, and producer Matthew Cochran, an artist dedicated to establishing a "bold new repertoire" for the guitar in the 21st century. Praised by Soundboard for his "commanding stage presence" and "inventive interpretation," Cochran’s music is a unique fusion of romanticism, minimalism, and popular music.
Whether performing his own intricate compositions or reimagined modern classics, Cochran delivers "nuanced, textured performances" that have captivated audiences across four continents.
Program Highlights
The 2026 program showcases a wide historical and stylistic arc:
- Classical Foundations: The concert opens with the Baroque elegance of David Kellner’s Phantasia in D Major and Manuel de Falla's haunting tribute, Homenaje, pour le Tombeau de Claude Debussy.
- Original Solo Works: Experience Cochran’s 2020 suite Three Non-Algorithmic Human Interactions, featuring movements such as "What I Wish I Said" and "The Promise of Something New".
- Literary & Folk Inspiration: The program includes Two Young Fish (2023), inspired by David Foster Wallace’s essay This is Water, and the 2024 Fantasy-Variations on the traditional "Skye Boat Song".
- Contemporary Arrangements: Atmospheric selections from Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds, including "Tomorrow’s Song" and "Saman," arranged specifically for solo guitar by Cochran.
- A Tribute to Jazz: The performance concludes with Toccata for Joe, a 2021 work written "after Joe Pass".
About the Artist
Dr. Matthew Cochran holds a Doctorate from Florida State University and degrees from the Eastman School of Music. A frequent guest on NPR and the BBC, he serves as a Guitar Instructor at the Interlochen Arts Academy and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Guitar Foundation of America. In 2024, he founded Sacred Black Records, a label and publishing collective dedicated to world-class musicianship.
"The pure emotive quality of Cochran's music pulls you into its embrace and empties your heart with every note." — No Depression
Date & Time
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Venue Details
OCU Chapel
2501 North Blackwelder AvenueOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106
