Royal Academy of Music Appoints William Lawes Chairs of Chamber Music

As part of their appointment, Anthony Marwood and Lawrence Power will visit the Academy to give intensive coaching sessions in chamber music

London's Royal Academy of Music (RAM) has made a joint appointment for the position of William Lawes Chair of Chamber Music. Starting in 2022, violinist Anthony Marwood and violist Lawrence Power will coach chamber ensembles and act as consultants for the school's chamber music program — helping to select repertoire for the students as well as recommending guest lecturers.

Marwood is an alumnus of RAM's Junior Academy and has performed as a soloist with many prestigious ensembles across the world. He has recorded 50 CDs on the Hyperion label alone. Multiple concerti were written for him by composers including Thomas Adès, Steven Mackey, Sally Beamish, and Samuel Carl Adams.

As a soloist, Power is a passionate advocate of new music: he gave the UK premiere of lga Neuwirth’s concerto Remnants of Song at the 2012 BBC Proms, and the world premieres of works by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Julian Anderson, Alexander Goehr, James MacMillan, and Huw Watkins.

"Our varied chamber music opportunities play a vital part in Academy life, giving students invaluable experience and access to an exciting range of repertoire," said Graham Mitchell, RAM's Head of Strings.

"Having not one but two chamber music experts in this new role is a real coup, and reflects our commitment to developing further this area of study."