Mark van de Wiel

Mark van de Wiel is established as one of Britain's leading, and most versatile, clarinettists. As principal clarinettist of the Philharmonia Orchestra (since 2000), the London Sinfonietta (since 2002), the London Chamber Orchestra, Endymion (founder principal) and as a well-known soloist, he performs at major venues throughout the world. He is a professor at the Royal Academy of Music.

Mark was born in Northampton, and educated at Merton College, Oxford and the Royal College of Music. He was immediately appointed principal clarinettist with the Welsh National Opera and subsequently with Glyndebourne Touring Opera. He was principal with the Composers' Ensemble from 1992-2000. He has appeared often as soloist with all the above Orchestras, and also with the Thames Chamber Orchestra, Mozart Festival Orchestra, English Classical Players, the Arhus Orchestra, Belgrade Strings, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and as clarinet and basset horn soloist in Mozart's Clemenza Di Tito at the Bavarian State Opera.

Mark is particularly well known for performances of contemporary music, and has given many premieres. He has recorded for EMI, ASV, NMC and Finlandia, Olympia records, and for the London Sinfonietta label.

He is also a busy teacher - as well as the Royal Academy of Music, he has taught at the Royal Welsh College, Dartington Summer School, and has given masterclasses at all the major conservatoires.

Solo highlights of the 2006/7 season include a major tour throughout the UK and Switzerland playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Mozart Festival Orchestra for Raymond Gubbay, Rossini's Introduction,Theme and Variations in London with the London Chamber Orchestra, Steve Reich's "New York Counterpoint" in Paris, John Adams' concerto "Gnarly Buttons" in Dublin and Gerald Barry's "Handel's Favourite Song" in London with the London Sinfonietta, and Mendelssohn's Konzertstuck No.1 in Leicester with Barnaby Robson and the Philharmonia Orchestra.