Robin Ashwell : viola

Robin Ashwell is well known as the viola player of the Sacconi Quartet, currently the UK’s longest-established string quartet.  With the Quartet, he made his Wigmore Hall debut in 2004, and since then has performed internationally, broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 and appeared on numerous recordings.

Upon graduating from the Royal College of Music, Robin was awarded the prestigious Tagore Gold Medal, the College’s highest prize in recognition of achievements and contribution to College life.  As an Associated Board Scholar at the College he studied with Ian Jewel and Andriy Viytovych, and won the Cecil Aronowitz Prize for outstanding viola playing.  He also studied baroque and classical viola with Jan Schlapp, Catherine Mackintosh and Annette Isserlis, and went on to be Principal Viola of the European Union Baroque Orchestra during their 2001-2003 seasons.

Together with his three quartet colleagues, Robin co-founded the Sacconi Quartet in 2001.  The Quartet recently performed Terry Riley’s Sun Rings, becoming only the second quartet in the world to perform it (after Kronos).  Their staged performances, from memory, of the late-Beethoven quartets, in association with theatre Director Tom Morris, continue to inspire audiences.  With the Quartet, Robin has collaborated with some of the world’s finest musicians, and appeared as solo violist on Paul McCartney’s 2009 hit song Come Home.  Robin’s recording of Roxanna Panufnik’s virtuoso solo piece Canto appears on the quartet’s album Heartfelt.

Robin combines his performing schedule with a love for and dedication to teaching: he is Head of Strings at Westminster School.  He is indebted to Ellen Solomon, whose beautiful Sacconi viola of 1934 he is privileged to play.