Michael Collins

Principal Conductor

Michael's dazzling virtuosity and sensitive musicianship have made him one of today's most sought-after soloists. He has performed as a soloist with many of the world's major orchestras, including the Philadelphia, NHK Symphony, Sydney Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus, City of Birmingham Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, BBC Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras.

 

Since his first performance at the BBC Proms, Michael has returned to the festival more often than any other wind soloist, including several appearances at the renowned Last Night of the Proms. As a chamber musician, he has a long standing relationship with Wigmore Hall and this season sees him enjoy a further residency there.

 

Indisputably one of the leading clarinettists of his generation, Michael has formed close alliances with conductors such as Charles Dutoit, Carlo Maria Giulini, Neeme Järvi, Tadaaki Otaka, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Leonard Slatkin and Mikhail Pletnev.

 

In recent seasons he has become increasingly highly regarded as a conductor and from September 2010 assumed the role of Principal Conductor of City of London Sinfonia. His successes as a conductor with both City of London Sinfonia and other orchestras with whom he works as a guest conductor, including the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, London Mozart Players, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony and Johannesburg Philharmonic are testament to the persuasive musicianship and galvanising leadership that is evident in both his playing and conducting.

 

Michael is a recent recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year Award. The award was made in recognition of the pivotal role that he has played in expanding the clarinet repertoire, commissioning and premiering repertoire by some of today's most highly regarded composers. He has given world and local premieres of works such as John Adams' Gnarly Buttons, Elliott Carter's Clarinet Concerto, Brett Dean's Ariel's Music, Elena Kats-Chernin's Ornamental Air and Turnage's Riffs and Refrains.

 

Recently signed to the Chandos label, Michael's current recording plans include concerto discs with City of London Sinfonia, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Bergen Philharmonic, in addition to recital discs with Piers Lane.