Michael Collins (clarinetist) explained

Michael Collins
Birth Date:27 January 1962
Birth Place:Isleworth, West London, United Kingdom

Michael Collins (born 27 January 1962) is a British clarinetist and conductor. One of the foremost clarinetists of his generation,[1] [2] [3] he has served as the principal of the Philharmonia Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. Collins has performed widely as a soloist and played on over 35 recordings on several record labels. He has also served as the conductor of several orchestras and was the principal conductor of the City of London Sinfonia from 2010 to 2018.

Early life

Collins was born on 27 January 1962 in Isleworth, West London. He began playing the clarinet aged seven after attending a London Symphony Orchestra performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade suite, which inspired him to take up the instrument.[4] He went on to study clarinet at the Royal College of Music as a youth under David Hamilton and Thea King. Collins had previously attempted to learn the cello and violin but did not fit the instruments well. At the age of 16, he won the 1978 BBC Young Musician woodwind prize and performed at the competition's inaugural grand finale.[5] [6] Aged 18, he briefly studied at the Juilliard in New York City with Stanley Drucker before deciding to return to studying under King.[7] After his return, Collins was invited to join the Nash Ensemble and the London Sinfonietta in 1981.[8]

Career

Collins has served as the principal clarinet of several orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra (1987–1995) and London Sinfonietta. He also performs as a soloist and as part of chamber ensembles. Solo performances have included work with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra.[9] He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Proms, having made his debuts in 1982 and 1984 respectively. Collins has a large repertoire which includes several works by British composers, like Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Britten. He has also commissioned and performed various works by modern composers; pieces premiered by Collins include Adams' Gnarly Buttons, Turnage's Riffs and Refrains, Dean's Ariel's Music and Elliott Carter's Clarinet Concerto. Collins plays on Yamaha clarinets and has advised the company on their designs.[10] He has been described as "one of the best clarinettists walking the planet" by The Times[11] and a "virtuoso" by The Sydney Morning Herald. In 2019, he appeared in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Legends series, where he was described as "one of the top clarinettists on the world stage at th[at] moment".

Collins taught at the Royal College of Music from 1985 to 1995. He has served as the principal conductor of the City of London Sinfonia (2010–2018) and has guest conducted the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra,[12] Zurich Chamber Orchestra and London Mozart Players, of which he was the artistic director from 2021 to 2023.[13] Collins is the founder of the London Winds, a chamber ensemble which he toured with around Europe and North America.

Personal life

Collins was once married to Isabelle van Keulen; they had two children. In 2017, Collins underwent a successful surgery to treat bowel cancer.[14] His favourite piece to perform is the Mozart Clarinet Concerto.

Awards and honours

Recordings

TitleOther performersLabelYear
Bartok: Sonata for unaccompanied violin / Two Rhapsodies / Romanian Folk Dances / ContrastsKrysia Osostowicz, Susan TomesHyperion1993[18]
Edward German: Merrie EnglandThe Williams Singers, and His OrchestraEMI1995[19]
Virtuosi: Michael CollinsMichael Collins and Kathryn Stott1997[20]
Elliott Carter: Symphonia "Sum fluxae pretium spei" / Clarinet ConcertoOliver Knussen and BBC Symphony OrchestraDeutsche Grammophon1999[21]
Chamber Music TriosStephen Hough and Steven IsserlisRCA[22]
Schubert: OctetCollins and friendsBBC Music Magazine[23]
Copland: Sextet / Piano Quartet; Vitebsk: 3 String Quartet PiecesVanbrugh Quartet and Martin RoscoeASV2000[24]
Mozart and Beethoven: Clarinet ConcertosMikhail Pletnev and Russian National OrchestraDeutsche Grammophon[25]
Edward German: Merrie EnglandThe Williams Singers, and His OrchestraEMI2002[26]
Gregson: Blazon / Violin Concerto / Clarinet Concerto / Stepping OutMartyn Brabbins, Olivier Charlier and Michael CollinsChandos2003[27]
Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2Robin O'Neill and Swedish Chamber OrchestraHyperion2005[28]
Mozart: SerenadesLondon WindsOnyx2006[29]
Schubert: Octet / Shepherd on the RockCollins and friendsWigmore Hall Live2007[30]
Herbert Howells: To Chosen Hill...Andrew West and Lyric QuartetMétier[31]
Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 3 & 4Robin O'Neill and Swedish Chamber OrchestraHyperion2008[32]
The Virtuoso ClarinetPiers LaneChandos2010[33]
The Lyrical ClarinetMichael McHale2011[34]
Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Clarinet Concertino / Horn ConcertinoStephen Stirling and City of London Sinfonia2012[35]
British Clarinet Sonatas, Vol. 1Michael McHale[36]
British Clarinet Concertos, Vol. 1BBC Symphony Orchestra[37]
Mozart, Copland, Kats-Chernin: Works for Clarinet and OrchestraSwedish Chamber Orchestra2013[38]
British Clarinet Sonatas, Vol. 2Michael McHale[39]
The Virtuoso Clarinet, Vol. 22014[40]
Brahms: Clarinet Trio / Cello Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2Ian Brown and Paul Watkins[41]
Brahms, Reinecke: Clarinet SonatasMichael McHale2015[42]
British Clarinet Concertos, Vol. 2BBC Symphony Orchestra2016[43]
The Lyrical Clarinet, Vol. 2Michael McHale[44]
Hana wa Saku (Flowers will Bloom)Charlotte de Rothschild and City of London SinfoniaNimbus[45]
Reger: Clarinet SonatasMichael McHaleChandos2017[46]
Piccolo Concerto Grosso: Matthias Mueller, Wolfgang Amadé MozartMatthias Müller and Zurich Chamber OrchestraNeos[47]
Crusell: The Three Clarinet Concertos / Introduction et air suédoisSwedish Chamber OrchestraChandos2018[48]
Richard Strauss: Burleske / Romanze / Duett-Concertino / Violin ConcertoTasmin Little, Michael McHale and Julie Price2019[49]
The Lyrical Clarinet, Vol. 3Michael McHale2020[50]
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5; Finzi: Clarinet ConcertoPhilharmonia OrchestraBIS[51]
La Clarinette ParisienneNoriko Ogawa2021[52]
Brahms: 3 SonatasStephen Hough[53]
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto / Quintet; Birchall: ConcertoRobin O'Neill, Philharmonia Orchestra and Wigmore Soloists2022[54]
Clarinet Trios: Mozart, Schumann, Bruch, StravinskyIsabelle van Keulen and Michael McHale[55]
Arnold: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 / Philharmonic Concerto / Divertimento No. 2 / Etc.Rumon Gamba and BBC Philharmonic OrchestraChandos2023[56]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pullinger . Mark . 15 May 2018 . Mozart, Finzi and fine wine: Michael Collins on a passion for the clarinet . 30 October 2023 . . 20 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420120716/https://bachtrack.com/interview-michael-collins-clarinet-finzi-mozart-basset-may-2018 . live .
  2. Kaplan . Richard A. . 1 March 2011 . The Virtuoso Clarinet . . 34 . 4 . 507.
  3. Dubins . Jerry . 1 September 2022 . Seeking Synergy—An Interview With Michael Collins . . 46 . 1 . 51–64.
  4. Web site: 6 December 2022 . Meet Michael Collins . 27 October 2023 . . 16 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416002106/https://philharmonia.co.uk/meet-michael-collins-2/ . live .
  5. Web site: Cummings . Robert . Michael Collins . 17 September 2023 . . 2 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230102162836/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/michael-collins-mn0001661330/biography . live .
  6. Web site: 1 April 2021 . Winners of BBC Young Musician . . 16 April 2023 . 16 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416002105/https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/winners-of-bbc-young-musician-all-the-winners-and-runners-up-from-the-history-of-the-competition/ . live .
  7. Web site: 2 April 2019 . Legends: Michael Collins . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011621/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/legends/legends-michael-collins/10946596 . live .
  8. Weston. Pamela. Pamela Weston. Collins, Michael. 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.43975. 2001.
  9. Web site: Michael Collins . 27 October 2023 . . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204041405/https://uk.yamaha.com/en/artists/m/michael_collins.html . live .
  10. News: Zwartz . Barney . 16 September 2013 . Concerto a fine blow for clarinet virtuoso . . 27 October 2023 . 19 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419091844/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/concerto-a-fine-blow-for-clarinet-virtuoso-20130915-2tsn3.html . live .
  11. News: Brown . Geoff . 1 February 2011 . Michael Collins at the Wigmore Hall . . 27 October 2023 . https://archive.today/20211123120105/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/michael-collins-at-the-wigmore-hall-83wxhrlr28m . 23 November 2021.
  12. News: Thow . Penny . 27 September 2012 . King of the clarinet . The Mercury.
  13. Web site: Michael Collins . 27 October 2023 . . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030225259/https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/staff/michael-collins . live .
  14. Paget . Clive . September 2017 . Michael Collins . . 28–29.
  15. 20 January 2001 . Nominations In Classical Music Announced For 43rd Grammys . . 113 . 3.
  16. Web site: 13 June 2015 . Classical music recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011636/https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/classical-music-recognised-in-queen-s-birthday-honours . live .
  17. Web site: 2020 . Favourite Classical Instrumental Albums . 16 October 2023 . . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204041405/https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2020/favorite-classical-instrumental . live .
  18. Web site: Bartok: Sonata for unaccompanied violin; Two Rhapsodies; etc. . 16 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011622/https://www.allmusic.com/album/bartok-sonata-for-unaccompanied-violin-two-rhapsodies-etc-mw0001942148 . live .
  19. Web site: Edward German: Merrie England . 16 October 2023 . . 14 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231214005308/https://www.allmusic.com/album/edward-german-merrie-england-mw0001364587#credits . live .
  20. Web site: Virtuosi: Michael Collins . 16 October 2023 . . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204041406/https://www.allmusic.com/album/virtuosi-michael-collins-mw0001378885 . live .
  21. Web site: Elliott Carter: Symphonia "Sum fluxae pretium spei"; Clarinet Concerto . 16 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/elliott-carter-symphonia-sum-fluxae-pretium-spei-clarinet-concerto-mw0001419007 . live .
  22. Web site: Chamber Music Trios . 16 October 2023 . . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204041405/https://www.allmusic.com/album/chamber-music-trios-mw0001830893 . live .
  23. Web site: Schubert: Octet . 26 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/schubert-octet-mw0001848898 . live .
  24. Web site: Copland: Sextet; Piano Quartet; Vitebsk; 3 String Quartet Pieces . 26 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011625/https://www.allmusic.com/album/copland-sextet-piano-quartet-vitebsk-3-string-quartet-pieces-mw0001831696 . live .
  25. Web site: Mozart and Beethoven: Clarinet Concertos . 26 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mozart-and-beethoven-clarinet-concertos-mw0001376049 . live .
  26. Web site: Edward German: Merrie England . 26 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/edward-german-merrie-england-mw0001379710 . live .
  27. Web site: Gregson: Blazon; Violin Concerto; Clarinet Concerto; Stepping Out . 26 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011629/https://www.allmusic.com/album/gregson-blazon-violin-concerto-clarinet-concerto-stepping-out-mw0001857459 . live .
  28. Web site: Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 . 26 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011632/https://www.allmusic.com/album/spohr-clarinet-concertos-nos-1-2-mw0001382840 . live .
  29. Web site: Mozart: Serenades . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mozart-serenades-mw0001858758 . live .
  30. Web site: Schubert: Octet; Shepherd on the Rock . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011625/https://www.allmusic.com/album/schubert-octet-shepherd-on-the-rock-mw0001393322 . live .
  31. Web site: Herbert Howells: To Chosen Hill... . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011640/https://www.allmusic.com/album/herbert-howells-to-chosen-hill-mw0001419799 . live .
  32. Web site: Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 3 & 4 . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/spohr-clarinet-concertos-nos-3-4-mw0001872970 . live .
  33. Web site: The Virtuoso Clarinet . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011620/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-virtuoso-clarinet-mw0002044510 . live .
  34. Web site: The Lyrical Clarinet . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lyrical-clarinet-mw0002112021 . live .
  35. Web site: Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Clarinet Concertino; Horn Concertino . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011621/https://www.allmusic.com/album/weber-clarinet-concertos-nos-1-2-clarinet-concertino-horn-concertino-mw0002278494 . live .
  36. Web site: British Clarinet Sonatas, Vol. 1 . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-1-mw0002305169 . live .
  37. Web site: British Clarinet Concertos: Stanford, Finzi, Arnold . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011622/https://www.allmusic.com/album/british-clarinet-concertos-stanford-finzi-arnold-mw0002419330 . live .
  38. Web site: Mozart, Copland, Kats-Chernin: Works for Clarinet and Orchestra . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011639/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mozart-copland-kats-chernin-works-for-clarinet-and-orchestra-mw0002462009 . live .
  39. Web site: British Clarinet Sonatas, Vol. 2: Benjamin, Cooke, Arnold, Horovitz, Gregson . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-2-benjamin-cooke-arnold-horovitz-gregson-mw0002486572 . live .
  40. Web site: The Virtuoso Clarinet, Vol. 2 . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011625/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-virtuoso-clarinet-vol-2-mw0002703611 . live .
  41. Web site: Brahms: Clarinet Trio; Cello Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2 . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011622/https://www.allmusic.com/album/brahms-clarinet-trio-cello-sonatas-nos-1-and-2-mw0002685340 . live .
  42. Web site: Brahms, Reinecke: Clarinet Sonatas . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011625/https://www.allmusic.com/album/brahms-reinecke-clarinet-sonatas-mw0002791888 . live .
  43. Web site: British Clarinet Concertos, Vol. 2: Britten, Mathias, Finzi, Cooke . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011638/https://www.allmusic.com/album/british-clarinet-concertos-vol-2-britten-mathias-finzi-cooke-mw0002914390 . live .
  44. Web site: The Lyrical Clarinet, Vol. 2 . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011639/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lyrical-clarinet-vol-2-mw0002942417 . live .
  45. Web site: Hana wa Saku (Flowers will Bloom) . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/hana-wa-saku-flowers-will-bloom-mw0002976058 . live .
  46. Web site: Reger: Clarinet Sonatas . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/reger-clarinet-sonatas-mw0003064223 . live .
  47. Web site: Piccolo Concerto Grosso: Matthias Mueller, Wolfgang Amadé Mozart . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/piccolo-concerto-grosso-matthias-mueller-wolfgang-amad%C3%A9-mozart-mw0003092023 . live .
  48. Web site: Crusell: The Three Clarinet Concertos; Introduction et air suédois . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011636/https://www.allmusic.com/album/crusell-the-three-clarinet-concertos-introduction-et-air-su%C3%A9dois-mw0003158616 . live .
  49. Web site: Richard Strauss: Burleske; Romanze; Duett-Concertino; Violin Concerto . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011626/https://www.allmusic.com/album/richard-strauss-burleske-romanze-duett-concertino-violin-concerto-mw0003264252 . live .
  50. Web site: The Lyrical Clarinet, Vol. 3 . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lyrical-clarinet-vol-3-mw0003342271 . live .
  51. Web site: Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5; Finzi: Clarinet Concerto . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011622/https://www.allmusic.com/album/vaughan-williams-symphony-no-5-finzi-clarinet-concerto-mw0003386696 . live .
  52. Web site: La Clarinette Parisienne . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011625/https://www.allmusic.com/album/la-clarinette-parisienne-mw0003501507 . live .
  53. Web site: Brahms: 3 Sonatas . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011626/https://www.allmusic.com/album/brahms-3-sonatas-mw0003609463 . live .
  54. Web site: Mozart: Clarinet Concerto & Quintet; Birchall: Concerto . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mozart-clarinet-concerto-quintet-birchall-concerto-mw0003678479 . live .
  55. Web site: Clarinet Trios: Mozart, Schumann, Bruch, Stravinsky . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011640/https://www.allmusic.com/album/clarinet-trios-mozart-schumann-bruch-stravinsky-mw0003823291 . live .
  56. Web site: Arnold: Clarinet Concerto No. 1; Philharmonic Concerto; Divertimento No. 2; Etc. . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027011624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/arnold-clarinet-concerto-no-1-philharmonic-concerto-divertimento-no-2-etc-mw0003874073 . live .

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