A CLARINETTIST and pianist are set to take to the stage for a night of classical music in Rocester.
Michael Collins and Michael McHale will perform at Abbotsholme School from 8pm on Tuesday as part of the Abbotsholme Arts Society programme of events for 2012.
Collins is one of the leading clarinettists of his generation who is widely praised for his dazzling virtuosity and sensitive musicianship, making him one of today’s most sought-after soloists.
At 16 he won the woodwind prize in the first BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition and at 22 made his American dèbut at Carnegie Hall.
Since then 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 Orchestra.
Collins has formed close alliances with conductors such as Charles Dutoit, Neeme Jarvi, Tadaaki Otaka, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin and Mikhail Pletnev.
As a chamber musician, he has a long standing relationship with the Wigmore Hall and this season sees him enjoy a further residency there.
Belfast-born pianist McHale (pictured) has established himself as one of the leading Irish pianists of his generation and developed a busy international career as a soloist.
Since completing his studies at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music he has developed a busy international career as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician.
He has given notable solo performances at the Tanglewood and Ushuaia Festivals, Berlin Konzerthaus and Pesti Vigadû, Budapest, and broadcasts for television and radio stations throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America.
The two Michaels’ programme includes sonatas by Mozart, Brahms, Poulenc and Saint-Saens.
Tickets can be booked in advance costing £20 for adults and £5 for under 25s. They are available from the box office on 01543 263304.
