Barnaby Robson

AGSM

Having studied clarinet, early clarinet and recorders at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, Barnaby went on to study as a Fulbright Scholar at the Julliard School in New York. Here, he won the School’s Concerto Prize, performing Copland’s Clarinet Concerto in a series of concerts at the Lincoln Centre.

Barnaby performed as principal clarinet of the Philharmonia Orchestra from 1998-2013 (appointed 2000). With this world-class orchestra he played for conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Charles Mackerras and Riccardo Muti. His playing can be heard on numerous Philharmonia CDs, broadcasts and film scores. In April 2014, Barnaby joined English National Opera Orchestra as principal clarinet.

Barnaby has a wealth of experience as a chamber musician and is a founder member of the Zanfonia Trio, performing much of the existing clarinet, violin and piano repertoire and commissioning new works.

Additionally, he performs regularly with London Winds, Belcea Quartet, Thomas Adès, Conchord Ensemble, Artur Pizarro, Endymion Ensemble and the Philharmonia Orchestra Soloists. Barnaby has recorded chamber repertoire for ASV, BBC and EMI, and broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

He has performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto on both original and modern bassett-clarinet and has recorded Vivaldi wind concerti on period instruments with the Academy of Ancient Music. With the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, he recorded and performed Mozart’s Serenade in B flat ‘Thirteen Wind' for the BBC.

He is professor of modern and early clarinet at the RCM and has given masterclasses at all of the UK's leading conservatories and in Switzerland, Iceland, Singapore and Australia.

Faculties / departments: Woodwind, Historical Performance