Artistic Director - Richard ShawRichard Shaw - Piano

Richard Shaw specialises in chamber music and accompaniment and has performed extensively in Britain and abroad. He is often heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM and has appeared on British, Italian and Russian television on many occasions. His many broadcasts for Radio 3 have included duo performances with Nikolaj Znaider (violin), James Ehnes (violin), Richard Harwood (cello), Jean Ferrandis (flute), Laura Lucas (flute), Jennifer Smith (soprano), Alice Coote (mezzo soprano), Eva Kallberg (soprano), Catherine Griffith (mezzo soprano), Jean Rigby (mezzo soprano), Hal Cazalet (tenor), John Hudson (tenor) and Jonathan Veira (bass baritone). National newspapers have singled out the "incisiveness and fluent sensitivity" (The Independent) and "excellent support" (The Times) of his playing, and praised his "fervent, intensely moving performance" (The Strad).

CDs include music by the great French flautist Phillipe Gaubert, with Kathryn Thomas (flute), on the Deux-Elles label (DXL 923), and a critically acclaimed CD of chamber works (with the Galliard Ensemble) and piano solos by Sir Harrison Birtwistle (DXL 1019). His latest CD is of the piano solos and chamber works of the British composer Cecilia McDowall (DXL 1033) with Ensemble Lumière.

At a series of special concerts at the Wigmore Hall for Sir Malcolm Arnold he performed with Nicholas Daniel (oboe), Ian Partridge (tenor), Paul Watkins (cello) and Roger Chase (viola). These included premieres of works by Sir Malcolm, performed in his presence and in celebration of his 80th Birthday. 

He has performed music by the distinguished Russian composer Elena Firsova with Patricia Rozario (soprano), Alexander Ivashkin (cello), Yuko Inoue (viola), and Julian Sperry (flute), among others. One critic commented: "This was an extraordinary musical party. The Duke's Hall [at the Royal Academy of Music, London] was packed…" 

Richard is Staff Accompanist at the Royal Academy of Music and gives masterclasses for accompanists at the Charterhouse Summer School of Music each July.

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