James Meldrum
Clarinet
James Meldrum is fast establishing himself as an exciting and versatile clarinetist in the UK and Europe. After gaining both a first class BMus (hons) degree and an Advanced PGDip with Distinction from the Royal College of Music, London, he is pursuing a busy career as an orchestral and chamber musician as well as a recital and concerto soloist.
After winning his first orchestral trial at the age of 20 James has played with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Chamber Orchestra as well as with international orchestras including de Filharmonie Antwerpen, the Young Janacek Philharmonic and the Kazakhstan Philhamonic Orchestras. He has collaborated with many renowned musicians including Levon Chilingirian, the Medici Quartet, Susan Danial, Melvin Tan and Liz Watts and has worked with composers including Helmut Lachenmann, Mauricio Kagel, Oliver Knussen, Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho and Joseph Horovits.
Recent engagements have included concerto performances of John Adam’s Gnarly Buttons in the Netherlands with the NJO Summer Academy and Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto in Cadogan Hall, London with John Wilson. As a recitalist and chamber musician James has performed in nearly all of the UK’s main festivals including the BBC Proms, the Cheltenham and Oxford international festivals as well as on international radio and television.
In 2009 James Meldrum will continue his association with the Britten-Pears Programme as musician in residence. His residency includes work as a soloist as well as with his critically acclaimed wind ensemble.
