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Matthew McDonald: Between the Bass and the Page
Matthew McDonald: Between the Bass and the Page
Matthew McDonald is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading double bass players — a musician whose warm tone, agility and expressive clarity have shaped the sound of the Berliner Philharmoniker since he became Principal Double Bass in 2009. But behind the orchestral spotlight, another creative voice has quietly been gathering strength: his poetry.
Born in Canberra and raised on jazz and rock, McDonald’s journey from Australia to Berlin took him through the Karajan Academy and into the heart of one of the world’s great orchestras. Alongside this remarkable musical life, he completed a Master’s in Creative Writing and founded berlin lit, a digital poetry journal showcasing writers from across the globe.
Now, in January 2025, McDonald publishes his first book of poetry — a new chapter in the artistic life of a musician who continues to surprise, expand and explore.
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By Breandáin O'SheaMatthew McDonald: Between the Bass and the Page
Matthew McDonald is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading double bass players — a musician whose warm tone, agility and expressive clarity have shaped the sound of the Berliner Philharmoniker since he became Principal Double Bass in 2009. But behind the orchestral spotlight, another creative voice has quietly been gathering strength: his poetry.
Born in Canberra and raised on jazz and rock, McDonald’s journey from Australia to Berlin took him through the Karajan Academy and into the heart of one of the world’s great orchestras. Alongside this remarkable musical life, he completed a Master’s in Creative Writing and founded berlin lit, a digital poetry journal showcasing writers from across the globe.
Now, in January 2025, McDonald publishes his first book of poetry — a new chapter in the artistic life of a musician who continues to surprise, expand and explore.