JOHN BLAKELY - Piano

John Blakely studied at the RAM, winning all the major prizes for piano and accompaniment, and was a Music Scholar at Oxford University.  He now has an international reputation as a chamber musician and accompanist, and has performed throughout Europe as partner of many outstanding instrumentalists and singers.  In this country he has for many years been a familiar figure on the South Bank and at the other major London venues, as well as at British Universities, Music Festivals and Societies.  He has made countless studio recordings for the BBC, as well as giving many live broadcasts.  He is an increasingly prominent recording artist, with seven CDs to his credit, ranging from violin sonatas by Beethoven, Fauré, Debussy, Walton and others to a programme of vocal duets and a major song cycle by Kenneth Leighton which was his last completed work.  His recording of Beethoven's 'Spring Sonata' with Lorraine McAslan was declared 'first choice' of all available versions by Radio 3's Record Review.  At the RCM he works with solo pianists and accompanists, coaches chamber music and works with singers on repertoire, particularly German Lieder.  He is also Professor-in-charge of the College's flourishing Junior Fellowship scheme.  Elsewhere he is increasingly sought after as an adjudicator, and regularly visits the other UK conservatoires to judge competitions and to act as external examiner.