Genre

:

Chamber

 

Michael Copley was born on May 22, 1947, in London, England. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a professional clarinetist and his mother a pianist. Copley started playing the recorder at the age of six and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. Copley attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied clarinet and saxophone. He graduated with honors in 1968 and went on to pursue a career as a freelance musician. He quickly established himself as one of the most sought-after woodwind players in the UK, performing with some of the country's top orchestras and ensembles. In 1972, Copley joined the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra founded by Sir Neville Marriner. He became the principal clarinetist of the orchestra and remained with them for over 20 years. During his time with the Academy, Copley performed on numerous recordings and toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. Copley was also a founding member of the London Sinfonietta, a contemporary music ensemble that was established in 1968. He played with the group for many years and was known for his virtuosic performances of contemporary music. In addition to his work with orchestras and ensembles, Copley was also a prolific soloist and chamber musician. He performed regularly with his own ensemble, the Michael Copley Wind Quintet, and collaborated with many other musicians and ensembles throughout his career. Copley was widely recognized for his exceptional talent and musicianship. He received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year award in 1982 and the Queen's Medal for Music in 2012. One of Copley's most memorable performances was his solo performance of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields at the BBC Proms in 1984. The performance was widely praised by critics and cemented Copley's reputation as one of the finest clarinetists of his generation. Copley was also known for his work as a music educator. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and was a visiting professor at many other institutions around the world. He was passionate about passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of musicians and was widely respected as a teacher and mentor. Sadly, Michael Copley passed away on August 18, 2018, at the age of 71. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and respected woodwind players of his generation, and his contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for many years to come.

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