Wiel, Mark van der

He is a clarinettist born in Northampton, England who was a student at the Royal College of Music and Merton College, University of Oxford.

In 1979 he became an original member of the chamber group Endymion which was formed from members of the National Youth Orchestra and held residence at London’s Blackheath Concert Halls.

He also joined the Welsh National Opera as their Principal Clarinet and took on that same position with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera

In 1992 he became the Principal Clarinet with the Composers’ Ensemble and remained with them until 2000. Moving on in 2000 he accepted the position of Principal Clarinet with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and two years later he took on the same post with the London Sinfonietta.

During the 2000s he has performed in Munich as a soloist at the Bavarian State Opera’s production of La Clemenza Di Tito by Mozart. He also took on another position as Principal Clarinet with the London Chamber Orchestra while continuing to perform with the Philharmonia, Endymion and the London Sinfonietta.

He has given several memorable performances as a soloist over the last few decades with a few of these including the premiere of “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” by William Alwyn at the Purcell Rooms in 1982, “Schattenwanderer” by Steven Daverson at the Royal Festival Hall, “Agnostic” by Graham Fitkin performed with the London Chamber Orchestra, “Clarinet Quintet” by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies with the Brodsky Quartet, a Mozart Concerto with the Mozart Festival Orchestra and “Cantus Mysticus” by Sir John Taverner which was performed at the Proms with the London Sinfonietta. He has also appeared on Hear and Now on BBC Radio 3 in a performance of “Handel’s Favourite Song” by Gerald Barry.

During his career he has made a name for himself as an accomplished chamber musician and soloist and this has found him being sought out by many ensembles and orchestras to perform nationally and internationally with them. Some of the groups he has performed with include the Arhus Orchestra, the Belgrade Strings, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, English Classical Players, London Chamber Orchestra, the Mozart Festival Orchestra and the Thames Chamber Orchestra.

He has appeared on many recordings with some of these including The Triumph of Beauty and Deceit by Gerald Barry, Mozart Reflections by the Chatham Chamber Orchestra, Six of Hearts by The Composers’ Ensemble, York Bowen: Chamber Music by the Endymion Ensemble and Morgan Hayen: Dark Room et al and Takemitsu: Quotation of Dream by the London Sinfonietta.

Recognised for his valuable contribution to music, he has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Northampton University and been made an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of music.

In the field of musical education he is a professor at Northampton University and has given several master classes.

Sources:

Wiel, Mark van der

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