Young music star Matthew Peter Tharappel is back from a masterclass in Germany and here's what he learnt

The names of the professors at the masterclass that Matthew Peter Tharappel were Ofer Ben-Amots and Jan Jirasek 
Matthew Peter Tharappel | (Pic: Matthew Peter Tharappel)
Matthew Peter Tharappel | (Pic: Matthew Peter Tharappel)

Back from a summer workshop and masterclass conducted by International Summer Academy of Music in Germany last month, Matthew Peter Tharappel has quite a story to share. Bagging a Grade 8 in piano performance with distinction from Trinity College London in 2016 with the help of Hyderabad Western Music Foundation, Matthew chose to finish high school from Woodstock School, Uttarakhand because, "there are only a few high schools in India which offer music as a subject," says the 18-year-old. He took music theory as a subject along with opting for private lessons in composition. So all in all, he has been playing the piano since class VI, tabla for four years and his most recent venture composition he started one and a half years back. Now that you know the background, let's get to that story we were talking about. During the masterclass, he had the chance of having his composition played by professional musicians, but his second piece went mysteriously missing due to a software bug and Matthew just did not do what to do. "I had almost given up. Imagine writing the piece again in a day!," says Matthew who still sounds frustrated from the whole ordeal. But he picked himself up and composed the piece all over again and even managed to bag Best Progress Award at the ISAM's Composition Workshop. A mark of a true musician, we'd say! 

Music mania: Matthew wishes to perfect his art | (Pic: Matthew Peter Tharappel)


"I was the youngest of the lot, I felt like a kid. But it was a huge learning experience for me," says the youngster whose roots are in Kerala, but is based out of Hyderabad. Matthewalso intends to take the humble tabla to different parts of the world as the feedback he received for it was very good. Usually, he describes his style of music as a confluence between Western classical and Hindustani music. And to lend more perfection to his style and music, he is in the process of applying to top schools in Europe. "The vision right now is to perfect the art of music and performing as much as I can," says the determined youngster. 

In a trance: Matthew during a performance | (Pic: Matthew Peter Tharappel)

Honour roll
Matthew's achievements include:

- National Finalist for Young Musician of the Year 2019 conducted by Olga and Jules Craen Foundation
- DipABRSM (Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) in Piano Performance
- Poad Music Shield for Outstanding Contribution to the music programme
- Certificate in Recognition for Achievement in Solo Instrument (Piano) from Woodstock School

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