Introduction:
James Meldrum is fast establishing himself as an exciting and versatile clarinettist in the UK and Europe.
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About James...
James Meldrum is fast establishing himself as an exciting and versatile clarinettist 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 currently holding the position of principal clarinet with the New European Ensemble in The Hague and is pursuing a busy career as an orchestral and chamber musician as well as a recital and concerto soloist.
While studying James held a Foundation and Postgraduate scholarship from the RCM and also held the MBF Music Education Award, MBF Ian Flemming Award, Countess of Munster Musical Trust Award, and the Wilkins-Mackerras Scholarship.
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 being guest principal clarinet with international orchestras including Iceland Symphony Orchestra, 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.
As an avid chamber musician, James has performed all over the world and regularly works with Ensemble 360 (Sheffield), the Cavaleri Quartet and the Winterbrook Trio, and was featured in a Dutch prime time television series exploring contemporary music.
Recent engagements have included concerto performances of John Adam's Gnarly Buttons in the Netherlands with the NJO Summer Academy, Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto with John Wilson in Cadogan Hall, London, Finzi's Clarinet Concerto and Mozart's clarinet concerto with the Orpheus Sinfonia and the Firebird Orchestra with Achim Holub. 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.
Client testimonials:
"...An impressive and varied range of repertoire, all presented with technical precision and great artistic flair in a very personal manner." - Ingrid Gäfvert, allmusic.com
"...James Meldrum gave an elegant, modulated and springy account of the solo part...the slow movement was rather special in its eloquence, flowing with feeling and emotional charge." - Colin Anderson, classicalsource.com
"...One was impressed with James Meldrum's control of the difficult solo part. What really made an impact was his expert handling of the second, jazz-inflected section...Meldrum has only recently graduated from the RCM and he seems set for great things." - Bob Briggs, Seen and Heard International
"...James Meldrum is one of the most talented and musical clarinettists of his generation. He has performance flair and a natural communication with audiences, both as a soloist and chamber musician. He is a supportive colleague in all music making." - Janet Hilton, International award wining recording artist and soloist.