University of York Music Press

Roddie has received acclaim from the press. The Glasgow Herald said that Roddie "... showed a mature craftsmanship, especially in matters of length and structure. An atmospheric and rippling exercise in more or less continuous motion, Arena is a model of restraint and understatement whose flow and momentum were unbroken by the chattering interruptions of individual instruments...". In another article they continue the praise: "...in Matthew Roddie's rambunctions, riotous pastiche of martial music, delivered with Ivesian elan, we saw one of tomorrow's real stars: a young lad with staggering technique, consummate style and an awesome inspiration..." The Glasgow Herald.