"Michael Collins, known globally as a peerless clarinet soloist, has steadily developed his work as director and conductor over the past decade. It stands today as a central part of his musical life. “I’m genuinely thrilled and excited by my appoint-ment with the City of London Sinfonia,” he says. “The CLS, or Richard Hickox Orchestra as it was then, gave me my first professional engagement after I won the woodwind prize in the BBC Young Musician of the Year final in 1978. I’ve worked with the orchestra as soloist many, many times since. I look forward to being able to complement Stephen’s plans for the orchestra and develop my thoughts for repertoire and programming. As well as playing clarinet concertos in programmes I conduct, there will be times when I leave my instrument at home and invite people from my strong list of musical friends to join us in making music together.”

As a Principal Conductor, Collins is determined to present audiences with mature, deeply considered interpretations and compelling programmes. He notes that his move into conducting belongs to the natural evolution of his work, a process fully informed by his experiences as concerto soloist and chamber musician. “Over many years of playing concertos, I’ve always felt that this is a form of chamber music-making. That really comes to life when you play as soloist and direct the performance, because everybody in the orchestra is com-pletely involved. I can’t wait to continue this work with the CLS. It’s very exciting to think of the musical journeys that we could take together.”