Matthew Recio (he/him)

Get To Know Composer Matthew Recio

1. What has been your favorite part of working on the Amplify Series thus far?

 I had the opportunity to zoom with Carlos to ask him about his poetry and learn about him and I was humbled and honored to be able to learn about his life and how he views the world. He is a real comedian and the writing he has created is such a specific and necessary point of view. For someone who had quite a serious tone in his poetry, showing his vulnerability with his struggles; He lives his life with such joy that it is quite infectious. Easily the best part of the experience is becoming friends with my collaborator. 

2. How did you discover your passion for composition and what do you love most about it?

When I was about fourteen, I would transcribe movie scores and pieces I loved on paper. The first one I dabbled with was Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore. But I soon started to realize I could create my own ideas, so I would start writing original pieces and have them performed in highschool. I remember bringing friends over to play my pieces in my house and other friends' houses that had more room to fit us all! In my career as it stands, I like to be a vessel for writers to contribute poetry and theater with untold points of view. Being able to collaborate with a living writer allows me to give breathing art. I also write so I can get into the rehearsal space. Working with performers is the best part. I get to shape with them and bring their ideas into the mix.

3. How would you describe the process of composing a piece of music?

Writing music is not a glamorous process. It is quite messy. It is a lot of me sketching pictures and graphs followed by improvisation at the piano and sketching those notes. When I get stuck I always need to go on a walk or clear my head. It is a lot of problem solving, where I will write something I like and then get to a hinge where I can't quite figure out how it needs to connect but with sleep, air and a little bit of time away a diagnosis pops in my head all of a sudden. When I am dealing with texts, I color code and parse out forms within the poetry, I also speak it out loud quite a lot to get the feeling of the words in my mouth and body.