The Flowering Branch

Christopher Bowen and Matthew Marshall

Buy at Bandcamp CD VIA CREDIT CARD Donate

RELEASE DATE: Thursday, November 12, 2026

This beautifully performed, highly enjoyable album features songs for tenor and classical guitar. The genesis for the project dates back to 2010, when Christopher and Matthew first teamed up to perform concerts together. However, as they live at opposite ends of the globe, it took fifteen years before this recording could be realised. The Flowering Branch is the result of an intensive period of work by these two outstanding artists to bring this rarely heard music to the world.

Featuring compositions by Douglas Lilburn, Stephen McNeff, Anthony Ritchie, Malcolm Williamson, and Louise E. Matthews, with lyrics by Dennis Glover, Charles Causley, Iain Lonie, Bernadette Hall, Owen Marshall, and William Shakespeare.

Produced by Kenneth Young
Recorded by Thom O’Connor at Orange Studios, Christchurch (NZ), 28-30 June 2025
Edited by Steve Garden and Kenneth Young
Mixed by Steve Garden
Mastered by Luan Meeker at Parachute Studios, Auckland
Programme notes by Christopher Bowen and Matthew Marshall
Photograph of Christopher by Rosalind Hobley
Photograph of Matthew by Laura McCone
Designed by UnkleFranc
Printing by Studio Q

1. Sings Harry 1, These Songs Will Not Stand 01:17
2. Sings Harry 2, When I Am Old 00:46
3. Sings Harry 3, Once the Days 01:57
4. Sings Harry 4, The Casual Man 00:57
5. Sings Harry 5, The Flowers of the Sea 02:47
6. Sings Harry 6, I Remember 02:47
7. Eden Rock Mvt 1, Elizabethan Sailor's Song 02:50
8. Eden Rock Mvt 2, A Certain Man 03:10
9. Eden Rock Mvt 3, Faure 03:11
10. Eden Rock Mvt 4, Eden Rock 05:19
11. Five Dunedin Songs 1, Collection Day 04:35
12. Five Dunedin Songs 2, Lovesong 01:45
13. Five Dunedin Songs 3, My Toaster Tells the Time 02:01
14. Five Dunedin Songs 4, Song 02:17
15. Five Dunedin Songs 5, Tomahawk Sonnet 04:30
16. Three Shakespeare Songs 1, Come Away, Death 01:53
17. Three Shakespeare Songs 2, Full Fathom Five 01:43
18. Three Shakespeare Songs 3, Fear No More the Heat of the Sun 05:12
19. South Island Songs 1, Hanging In 01:53
20. South Island Songs 2, Local Knowledge 05:34
21. South Island Songs 3, South Island Prayer 05:37

Released: 12 November 2026
Catalogue: RAT-D172

CHRISTOPHER BOWEN

Born Christchurch (NZ), Christopher studied singing at Otago University. He has performed a broad array of music, and has a strong commitment to new music, particularly in his work with the BBC Singers and groups such as The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Theatre of Voices and the Hebrides Ensemble.

Christopher also works with notable early music ensembles including 'I Fagiolini' and 'The Academy of Ancient Music'. Recent performances have included Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Academy of Ancient Music and John Passion in Auckland. French baroque appearances include Couperin Petit Motets with the Instruments of Time and Truth and Rameau’s In Contvertendo with the Academy of Ancient Music.

For more information, click HERE

MATTHEW MARSHALL

Described as “…a guitarist of superb technical accomplishment and a musician of perception and style”, Matthew Marshall is one of New Zealand’s leading classical guitarists.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Matthew has brought his unique interpretations and original musical personality to over 2000 performances on four continents. He is passionate about contemporary music, especially by New Zealand composers, and has commissioned or premiered more than 50 solo, chamber and orchestral works for guitar.

For more information, click HERE