Latest News | Arranger | Composer | Producer | Conductor | Songwriter

Cliff's Work: string arranger

Rag’n’Bone Man

Cliff was back at BBC Maida Vale Studios recently for another Piano Room session, this time with Rag’n’Bone Man. The BBC Concert Orchestra performed Cliff’s arrangements of “Skin” and “Put A Little Hurt On Me” along with a version of Christina Aguilera’s classic hit, “Genie In A Bottle”. Available on iPlayer now for a limited […]


Spotify Showreel

Cliff works as an orchestrator and arranger across many genres, with artists including Josh Groban, Disney, Tom Walker, Emeli Sandé, Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Rick Astley and Il Divo. Have a listen to a selection of string and orchestral arrangements he has written here..


80s Classical

The BIG SURPRISE from last year’s 80s Classical show when conductor Cliff Masterson put down his baton and swapped it for a microphone for this performance of St Elmo’s Fire..


Anastacia Piano Room

Cliff recently arranged and conducted the BBC piano room performance for the fantastic Anastacia.  Despite having a series of flights cancelled and losing her luggage, Anastacia still managed to pull an incredible performance out of the bag!  



Sun Will Shine

Tom Walker, as always bringing his relatable lyrics and uplifting vibes to his latest collaboration with Robin Schulz. Cliff was delighted to work once again with Tom, arranging and producing this acoustic version of his track, “Sun Will Shine”.  


Jordan Adetunji

Cliff recently worked with Northern Irish hip-hop artist Jordan Adetunji, arranging this acoustic version of his single, “Insecure” for an exclusive performance with the Ulster Orchestra.


80s Classical 2022

The 80s Classical line up for 2022 featured some brand new artists including Kim Wilde and Belinda Carlisle. The annual show brings together the original 80s artists, singing their biggest hits with a full 60 piece symphony orchestra. Cliff once again scored and conducted the show bringing his trademark, symphonic writing to some of the […]


Josh Groban – Harmony

Cliff recently conducted all of the orchestral sessions for the upcoming Josh Groban album, ‘Harmony’.  Produced by the brilliant Bernie Herms, the album also features Cliff’s arrangement of ‘Both Sides Now‘, a legendary song that Cliff was delighted to score for the release. Available now!


Cliff at Air Studios

Composer Showreel

Cliff uniquely won the Kent Young Composer of the Year competition twice, originally aged just 14 years old. This success started him on a path that led him to study Commercial Composition at London’s Royal Academy of Music under Nick Ingman. He has composed across many genres including work for television, film, theatre and concert […]


Hollywood Adagios

Hollywood Adagios

Cliff was commissioned to compose an album of ‘Hollywood Adagios’ by Audio Network in 2019. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with a 60 piece orchestra, the album showcases a number of string-centric, emotive compositions featuring outstanding solo performances from Tom Pigott-Smith (violin) and Ian Burdge (cello). You can hear the whole album now on Apple […]


Marisha Wallace – Tomorrow

Marisha’s debut album is available for pre-order now! ‘Tomorrow’ features a host of incredible songs from the world of musical theatre and pop, crafted into beautiful new versions by producer Steve Anderson. The album was recorded through lockdown and then Cliff’s arrangements were added by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at AIR Studios. An absolutely joy […]


Rick Astley / Children In Need

This year’s BBC Unsung Hero campaign has been launched with a new version of Rick Astley’s uplifting anthem, “Every One Of Us”. Each year as part of the Sports Personality of the Year event, the BBC look for people giving above and beyond in their communities through sport and to celebrate this year’s event Cliff […]


BBC Sports Personality 2019

Cliff was invited to return as Musical Director and Composer for the BBC’s 2019 Sports Personality of the Year Awards show. Featuring performances by Lewis Capaldi, Emeli Sandè and the Royal Scots Combined band, the show was broadcast live from Aberdeen.


Better Half Of Me

Tom Walker – Better Half Of Me

Tom Walker has a great new single, “Better Half Of Me” and Cliff once again was asked to arrange a special acoustic version to celebrate the single’s release. Here’s a live performance of Cliff’s arrangement from the Jonathan Ross Show…


Luke Evans

Luke Evans – At Last

Cliff recently teamed up with long term collaborator Steve Anderson to work on the new Luke Evans album “At Last”, arranging a number of titles for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Luke has appeared in huge Hollywood blockbusters such as “The Fast and The Furious”, “The Girl On The Train”, “The Hobbit”, “3 Musketeers” and “Beauty […]


Tom Walker

Tom Walker

Cliff has been working on a number of tracks with the brilliant Tom Walker over the last 18 months.  Tom’s debut album, “What A Time To Be Alive” has just been released to rave reviews and features a number of Cliff’s string and choir arrangements..


Claire Richards

Claire Richards

Steps star Claire Richards is stepping out on her own with the release of her debut solo album “My Wildest Dreams” on 2nd November 2018. Recorded at Angel Studios earlier in the year, the new album by Claire Richards features a number of string arrangements by Cliff – including this one on her latest single, […]


Kylie Xmas

Kylie Christmas!

Cliff and Steve have been busy throughout the summer working on Kylie Christmas! Recorded at Angel Studios and Sarm Music Village, the album features 13 tracks including several duets and a mix of original and classic songs. Kylie has enlisted the help of her sister Dannii Minogue for the deluxe version of the album, recording […]


Timeless

Il Divo – Timeless

Cliff recent worked again with Il Divo – writing a number of arrangements for their most recent album, “Timeless”. Released in the Autumn of 2018, the album features a number of timeless songs including “Smile”, “Love Me Tender” and “Unforgettable”.


Leave A Light On

Tom Walker – Leave A Light On

Cliff was recently at Angel Studios recording an exclusive performance of Tom Walker’s current single “Leave A Light On”. This live, ‘in the round’ acoustic performance, produced and arranged by Cliff features string quartet, piano, guitar and Tom’s soaring vocals.  


SPOTY 2018

BBC Sports Personality

Cliff recently worked on the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards as Musical Director and Composer. Featuring live performances by Paloma Faith, Freya Ridings, George Ezra and The Lightning Seeds – as well as original music by Cliff, the show was broadcast to 10 million people from the Birmingham Genting Arena.  


Kylie Christmas

Kylie – Christmas

Kylie is back for another Christmas extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall – and this time for 2 nights! Cliff has been working with Steve Anderson over the summer arranging new songs for Kylie’s Xmas album and sold out show for this December.. It’s going to be seriously festive!  


Beau Dermott

Along with production partner Steve Anderson, Cliff produced the debut album for 13 year old singing talent Beau Dermott. Signed to Decca in the summer of 2017 after her performances on Britian’s Got Talent received more than 25 million views on YouTube, the album BRAVE is released on 25th August.


Long Live The Angels

Long Live The Angels

Emeli Sandé’s new album “Long Live The Angels” features a number of new string arrangements written by Cliff. The orchestra was recorded at Angel Studios over the summer of 2016. The albums first track, “Hurts” is available online now.


SB_Wonderful_World

Susan Boyle – Wonderful World

Cliff teamed up once again with Steve Anderson to produce their 3rd studio album for Susan Boyle. The album, “Wonderful World” features duets with Michael Bolton and Nat King Cole… And perhaps most unexpectedly, a cover of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer”.


sounds of the 80s

This Woman’s Work

Cliff teamed up once again with Steve Anderson to produce Ella Henderson’s cover of the classic Kate Bush song “This Woman’s Work”. The song was recorded in one take, live at Angel Studios with strings and Cliff playing piano – and is featured on the 2016 album “Sounds of the 80’s – volume 2”.


Get Weird

Little Mix – Secret Love Song

Cliff was recently in the studio recording strings for the new Little Mix album on tracks including “Secret Love Song” – a duet with Jason Derulo.  Recorded at London’s Angel Studios, featuring a 24 piece string section the band’s 3rd album “Get Weird” was released on the 6th November.


Beds and Beats

#WINNING – Beds and Beats

Cliff had the privilege of being commissioned to compose an album of uplifting, sporting anthems for Beds and Beats over the summer of 2015. The album was recorded at Angel Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, annd then mixed at the legendary Capitol Studios, Hollywood. The compositions are a hybrid of orchestral elements, fused with […]


Fleur East

Fleur East

Cliff has been working on strings for Fleur East’s debut album.  You can her Fleur’s version of “Girl On Fire” in the new Virgin Media advert.


Helen Fischer

Helene Fischer

Cliff has just finished arranging and conducting a project with German superstar Helene Fischer at Abbey Road Studios, London. The Christmas album entitled “Weihnachten” features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.


The Voice 2015

Cliff had a busy week working on the all four possible winners singles for The Voice UK TV Show. He arranged the strings and choirs for all four versions as well as arranging and producing the version of the song recorded by Lucy O’Byrne.


Markus Feehily

Markus Feehily

Cliff has recently been in the studio with Markus Feehily and producers Mo Jam and Steve Anderson, working on titles for his forthcoming solo project. Working at Angel Studios he arranged and conducted strings and gospel choir on a number of tracks… Here is the first released from the album – “Love Is A Drug”


Ella Eyre – Rugby 2015

England Rugby has released its official single for 2015, a new recording of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot from Brit Award winning singer, Ella Eyre featuring strings and choir arranged by Cliff. The contemporary version of the fans’ favourite song is being released on iTunes and Spotify with a donation made to England Rugby All Schools […]


Ella Henderson

Ella Henderson

Cliff arranged strings and choir on several tracks for Ella’s first album. Produced by a host of top drawer producers, the album “Chapter One” was released in October 2014.


Emeli Sandé

Emeli Sandé’s string heavy debut single “Heaven” was arranged by Cliff, as was the second single, “Daddy“. Emeli has become a household name in the UK since bursting onto the music scene in 2011 with her debut album “Our Version Of Events“.  The album broke the Beatles’ record of the spending the most consecutive weeks […]


Kylie Minogue

To celebrate 25 years in the music business, Kylie Minogue released the “The Abbey Road Sessions” album.  The album features new arrangements of many of Kylie’s hit records – set in a more acoustic, orchestral style.  It was recorded at London’s famous Abbey Road Studios in late 2011, and produced by Steve Anderson and Colin […]


Little Mix

Cliff has worked on a number of projects with Little Mix, from their first appearance on the X Factor, through to album tracks and a Radio 1 Live Lounge performance. He arranged this acoustic version of DNA And teamed up once again with Steve Anderson to arrange this down tempo version of the Mumford and […]


Susan Boyle Hope

Susan Boyle – Hope

Throughout 2014 Cliff has been co-producing the 6th album to be released by Susan Boyle.  Teaming up once again with production partner Steve Anderson, the album is available now in the US and due for a UK release on the 24th November. Entitled “Hope”, the album is full of inspiration songs including “Wish You Were […]