Matthew J Leese
Amateur Composer
Welcome to my website! I am an amateur composer (and professional accountant) and I hope, one day, to gain wider recognition for my works.
I am a Yorkshireman by birth and residence and play viola with Sheffield's Endcliffe Orchestra.
My specialism is TUNES! I promise never to compose a piece that doesn't have traditional melody at its core.
matthewjleese@yahoo.co.uk
There has been no use of AI in any of my compositions and my first works were written before the technology existed!
Happy Melancholy
"The most enjoyable piece I've ever played in an orchestra"
JK, Endcliffe Orchestra
"It has become a favourite piece"
The Borders Orchestra
"Amazing piece"
AA, Endcliffe Orchestra
"Matt's now-recorded masterpiece"
LA, Endcliffe Orchestra
Happy Melancholy is a 7-minute work for full orchestra. It is based around two anthem-style melodies.
The piece has been recorded by the Endcliffe Orchestra and the Hallam Sinfonia, and has been performed in concert by the Endcliffe Orchestra and The Borders Orchestra, North Wales.
Easy Piano Concerto
"It sounds like Elton John"
DR, audience member
"Who needs Beethoven when you've got this!"
NA, Endcliffe Orchestra
Easy Piano Concerto is a full-length three movement concerto for piano and orchestra, with Broadway-style melodies incorporated into a symphonic structure.
The piano part is suitable for players grade 7/8 and above. It was deliberately written to give amateur pianists the chance to perform a concerto.
Matthew performed its premier with the Endcliffe Orchestra.
Melodic Moments
Six Easy & Tuneful pieces for piano
With a title inspired by Schubert's "Musical Moments", Melodic Moments are six short pieces for piano.
As well as being tuneful mood pieces, they are also intended to be useful exercises for those learning the piano.
They feature strong melodies and have heavy use of the pedal to create a relaxed ambience.
Piano Trio
A four-movement work for Piano, Violin and Cello
Movement 1 - Sonata
Movement 2 - Romance
Movement 3 - Meditation
Movement 4 - Rondo Finale
The work has been rehearsed by three professional musicians in Sheffield, and Matthew is hoping to secure a performance of the work in the near future.
High Summer Memories
An 8-minute work for string orchestra
Written in two weeks for the Yorkshire Late Starters Strings 2025 Composing Competition, it made the shortlist of 4 out of 31 entries from across the country. The piece was well received and regarded as the runner-up.
A member of YLSS requested the score and the piece has since been rehearsed by The Horsforth Music Centre Adult Strings.
Current projects:
- Romance for Theremin and Orchestra
due for completion in 2026
- Symphony
I am working on a 4-movement symphony which I intend to complete by mid-2027. Extracts of it were played by the Endcliffe Orchestra in 2021 - see YouTube link below.