Kristo Matson studied trombone, music theory, and composition at the Heino Eller Tartu Music School. In 2007, he graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in composition as a student of Tõnu Kõrvits, and in 2009, he earned his Master’s degree under the guidance of Helena Tulve. From 2005 to 2007, he taught music theory subjects at the Eller Music School, and from 2007 to 2015, at the Tallinn Music High School. Between 2012 and 2015, Kristo Matson served as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Estonian Music Foundation; from 2017 to 2020, he was the Head of the Music Department at the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum; and from 2020 to 2025, he served as the Director of Risti School in Harju County. He currently works at the Lääne-Harju Municipal Government.
His works have been performed by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Prezioso String Quartet, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, the Pärnu City Orchestra, the Academic Male Choir of Tallinn University of Technology, the female choir Emajõe Laulikud, and many others. He has primarily composed choral and orchestral music, as well as instrumental pieces and songs. In 2024, he completed a 12-part major work titled Valguse laulud (Songs of Light), premiered by Liisi Koikson (vocals), Joel-Rasmus Remmel (piano), Paul Daniel (guitar), Mihkel Mälgand (bass), Ahto Abner (percussion), the Veronika Portsmuth Choir Academy’s concert and chamber choirs, the orchestra Ventum, and conductor Veronika Portsmuth.
As an arranger, he has collaborated with many well-known pop and jazz artists, and his orchestral arrangements have been featured at the Estonian Song Celebration as well as at major gala concerts. Matson’s orchestral work Cantus in memoriam Malera Kasuku received a special prize at the International Lepo Sumera Young Composers’ Competition in 2006.