Matthaios of Vatopaidi (1744–1849)

Matthaios of Vatopaidi (1744–1849)

Matthaios of Vatopaidi is more commonly known as Matthaios of Ephesus, his place of origin. He was born in Kousantasi of Asia Minor in 1774. He lived for a while in Constantinople in order to complete his music studies. Most likely he was taught the old notation from the Protopsaltis [first-chanter] Petros Vyzantios and the new system of notation from the teachers Chourmouzios Chartophylakas and Grigorios Protopsaltis. In one of his codices, Matthaios himself mentions the hieromonk Ioannikios of Vatopaidi as a teacher of his. Out of the many students he had, one who stands out is the monk Grigorios, protopsaltis at Vatopaidi Monastery. Matthaios both occupied himself and distinguished himself in almost all the fields of church music. Noteworthy are his prolific work in writing music, his interpretations, and his composition of melodies. At the present, at least forty codices written in his hand have been discovered, and there are many other works that contain his melodies. His first codices are written in the musical notation used before 1814, but the greater part of his work has been written using the New Method. His melody composition work is also broad and original. He has composed mathemata, communion hymns, Cherubic Hymns, polyeleoi, Axion Estin hymns, katavasias, apolytikia and prosomia.