Classical orthogonal polynomials in two variables: a matrix approach

Classical orthogonal polynomials in two variables are defined as the orthogonal polynomials associated to a two-variable moment functional satisfying a matrix analogue of the Pearson differential equation. Furthermore, we characterize classical orthogonal polynomials in two variables as the polynomial solutions of a matrix second order partial differential equation. AMS subject classification 42C05, 33C50Partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (MCYT) of Spain and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the grant BFM2001-3878-C02-02, Junta de Andalucía, G.I. FQM 0229 and INTAS Project 2000-272.