David Griffiths, clarinet

David Griffiths has carved out a reputation not only for his superb performances as a clarinet soloist but as a consummate musician equally accomplished as a chamber musician, recitalist and leading educator. He is a member of two prestigious Australian chamber music ensembles; the Australia Ensemble@UNSW and Ensemble Liaison. In addition, David also holds the position of Associate Director and Professor of Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the University of Melbourne.

In concerto, recent and future concerto highlights for David include performances with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Tasmanian and Sydney Symphony Orchestras.

 Chamber music forms a vital part of David’s career and as a member of Ensemble Liaison, he curates and performs an annual three-concert series, and has just celebrated its 20th season. Recognised for fostering long-term relationships with leading chamber ensembles, David enjoys collaborating with the American, New Zealand, Goldner, Tinalley, Arcacia, Flinders and Australian String Quartets, the New York Wind Soloists, and the Southern Cross Soloists.

David has also performed with many leading artists including Nemanja Radulović, Richard Tognetti, Ray Chen, James Crabb, Dale Baltrop, Konstantin Shamray, Anthony Marwood, Henning Kraggerud, and Emma Matthews, and has appeared at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville and the Port Fairy Festival.

As an orchestral musician, David has held positions as Associate Principal Clarinet with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Principal Clarinet of the Macau Orchestra and Principal Clarinet of the Shanghai Radio Orchestra. He has appeared as Guest Principal clarinet with all of Australia’s major symphony and opera ballet orchestras along with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

A passionate teacher, David regularly presents performances and masterclasses across the world from Asia to Europe, United States (incl, Carnegie Hall), South America, the Middle East, New Zealand and Australia.

David is a Backun Clarinet performing artist.