The distinguished composer/conductor Matthew Taylor enjoys a pre-eminent position at the heart of the United Kingdom classical music establishment. As a composer he received special encouragement from Robert Simpson and Sir Malcolm Arnold. He trained as a conductor with Robin Page, Vilém Tauský, and with Leonard Bernstein.

He has conducted many orchestras including the English Chamber Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, European Community Chamber Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and has conducted with Leonard Bernstein at the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival.

He has recorded for Hyperion Records and Dutton and has conducted first performances of pieces by Robert Simpson, Vagn Holmboe, David Matthews & James Francis Brown.