Matthew is a performer on two kinds of dulcimers. The Concert Cimbalom and the American Hammered Dulcimer.

AMERICAN HAMMERED DULCIMER

CONCERT CIMBALOM

BAROQUE SALTERIO

Matthew has performed with the Sudar Percussion Group of Croatia, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, and the University of Denver and Southern Utah University Percussion Ensembles on dulcimers, among others.

Upcoming projects:

  • World premiere video and commercial recording release of Jonathan Blair’s Concerto for Cimbalom, Harp, Percussion, and Strings with harpist, Jennifer Ruggiero – supported by the Iowa Arts Council.

  • World premiere of Dolores White’s Shades of Color (adapted for cimbalom and string orchestra by Matthew Coley) – coming soon.

  • Premiere of Coley’s new trio for oboe, cimbalom, and piano

  • Bringing back the Bar Music/Torque Album project with pianist, Clare Longendyke. Two full albums composed by Bjorn Berkhout for clarinet, cello, dulcimer/percussion, vibraphone, and piano.

  • See schedule page for upcoming dates.

Performing with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison, WI

Repertoire:

(Additionally, please see press kit and YouTube playlist linked above. Composers, visit dulcimer instructional video linked above for new works.)

Cimbalom Hammers

  • Cimbalom with orchestra

    • John Adams The Gospel according to the Other Mary

    • Bela Bartók First Rhapsody

    • Harrison Birtwistle Gawain‘s Journey

    • Pierre Boulez Éclat / multiples

    • Johannes Brahms Hungarian Dances Nos. 1-5

    • Claude Debussy La plus que lente

    • Henri Dutilleux Mystere de l'instant

    • Henri Dutilleux L‘arbre des songes

    • Péter Eötvös Atlantis

    • Zoltán Kodály Háry János Suite

    • György Kurtág …quasi una fantasia… op. 27

    • Franz Lehár Zigeunerfest

    • Vittorio Monti Czardas

    • Igor Stravinsky Ragtime

    • Igor Stravinsky Renard

    • Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings Symphony

    • Frank Zappa The yellow shark

    • Hans Zender Don Quijote de la Mancha

  • Cimbalom solo and concerto coming soon

  • Dulcimer solo and chamber music

    • This We Have Now for dulcimer and percussion trio by Jennifer Bellor – 2020

    • Pelagic Winter Wanderings for dulcimer/extended range bowed psaltery, percussion quartet, and harpsichord by Matthew Coley

    • Fantezie for dulcimer and percussion trio by Valeriu Luta/arranged by Sergiu Cretu and M. Coley

    • Laylit Houb for dulcimer and percussion quartet by Oum Kalthoum/arr. M. Coley

    • Karslimah for dulcimer and percussion trio by Jamal Mohammed/arr. M. Coley

    • Amnesia Variance for dulcimer, violin, viola, cello, bass clarinet, and piano by Lee Hyla

    • Quest for guitar solo, double bass, harp, soprano saxophone, dulcimer/percussion, and percussion by George Crumb

    • Torque for solo dulcimer by Bjorn Berkhout – premiered 2014

    • Images of Africa for dulcimer and percussion quintet by Steven Simpson – premiered 2014 with University of Iowa Percussion Ensemble

    • Dulci for solo dulcimer by Neil Thornock – 2010

    • The Bar Music/Torque Album for dulcimer, clarinet, cello, piano, and vibraphone (2 full albums) by Bjorn Berkhout – premiered 2009/2010

    • Glitz! for hammer dulcimer, marimba, vibraphone/glockenspiel by Bjorn Berkhout – premiered 2007

    • Uphill for hammer dulcimer, baritone-voice, piano, vibraphone by Bjorn Berkhout – premiered 2005

    • Various selections by Bach

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