Clarinettist

Raymond Brien

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About Raymond

‘Best session musician I’ve ever booked’ - very experienced harp and clarinet duo for Christmas Parties, Weddings and Corporate Events.
Clarinettist
London
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Raymond is a resident Britten-Pears Artist 2022-2023 and award winning soloist, featured on disks by Tocca Classics, Another Timbre and Polytempo Records. Recent BBC Radio 3 broadcasts include numerous BBC Symphony Orchestra concerts, the BBC Total Immersion series and BCMG’s Sir Harrison Birtwistle feature broadcast. Raymond is on trial as principal clarinet of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and regularly plays with numerous major professional ensembles throughout the UK. Recent chamber music highlights include regular recordings and performances with Apartment House and Riot Ensemble, as well as with the Farrenc Trio and Brien-Hao duo, both of which Raymond is co-founder. Raymond works closely with composers including Rebecca Saunders, Noah Max, Marc Yeats and Jürg Frey in developing and premiering new works which push the clarinet to new heights and bring new music to broader audiences. Raymond has been a semifinalist in the Bromsgrove International Music Competition, Tumbridge Wells International Music Competition, Royal Overseas League Competition and winner of first prizes in the Padova International Music Competition and Hatfield Music Festival Prize. As a busy soloist, orchestral and chamber musician, Raymond performs regularly across the UK and internationally, with upcoming solo recitals featured in Aldburgh Festival, across Sweden and London, UK. One of Raymond’s favourite performance memories is playing their first concerto (Nielsen Clarinet Concerto) with orchestra in 2016 after winning the Hatfield Music Prize. Raymond is also a composer and is passionate about developing further literature around how to write for the clarinet.

Encore badges
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
Musicianship
Genres:
Classical, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Opera, Musical theatre, Early music, Fanfare, Medieval music, Folk, Jazz fusion, Avant garde, Experimental, Light music, Originals, Noise music, World music, Christmas, Renaissance, Electronic, Marching, Easy listening, Ambient, Electronica
See all genres
Instruments:
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Event types:
Concert, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Composer, Orchestrator, Lyricist, Arranger, Transcription, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Live looping, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Composition teaching, Singing teaching
See all skills
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Times are turbulent due to COVID; I will always endeavour to iron out any scheduling issues to ensure your booking happens. In return, please just let me know as much in advance as possible if something changes.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes absolutely. I will curate a playlist to match your specific needs.

How much time do you need to set up?

Min 30 mins if no electronics used 2h setup if using electronics and PA. This will also include setting an atmosphere through the PA as guests arrive, free of charge.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

I very much enjoy collaborative programming as much as I do learning new works. If you have specific repertoire requests I would be more than happy to cater to them.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes!

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Absolutely. I am very experienced in learning repertoire in short amounts of time as long as I have access to the music.

Raymond's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£100
Up to 1 hour£200
Up to 2 hours£320
Up to 3 hours£400
Packages
Doubling fee
When I am required to play more than one instrument. The doubling instruments I play and have available are: Bass clarinet Eb clarinet Alto saxophone Flute
£160
Chamber Music
Chamber music: clarinet quartet, clarinet trio (cello, piano, clarinet) or clarinet quintet (string quartet and clarinet). Each configuration has its own negotiable price.
£600

Add-ons

Song arrangement
+£50

Raymond's Reviews

From customers:

RB
Robin B
7 years ago

Terrific virtuosic power and poise...with real presence and understanding

H
Http://5against4.com/2019/09/25/cbso-centre-birmingham-bcmg-celebrating-sir-harrison-birtwistle-at-85/?fbclid=IwAR2uzfUNQDHoLZTnbD9AgVTs2qRX5uWHuBTQ81qYxF9q3yWA6FpsgyEgiQQ
5 years ago

It was a mesmerising performance of an evocative and highly immediate piece, showing that size isn’t everything, that early-career players can deliver truly outstanding performances...