Michael Reid has been Principal Clarinet of the Tonhalle-Orchestra, Zurich since 1986. He was born in Aberdeen Scotland and studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London (1976-80) and at the Musikakademie and Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland (1981-83). In 1983 he was appointed assistant 1st and Eb clarinet with Zurich Opernhaus before being accepted as principal clarinet with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich. Besides orchestral playing Michael performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician. Notable performances include the first Swiss performance of John Corigliano's concerto and Mozart's concerto on the original basset clarinet conducted by Frans Brüggen. He is a member of the Zurich Wind Octet "La Gran Partita" and the "Arlequin Ensemble". Michael's further interests include performing early music on recorders and clarinets as well as performing traditional Scottish music on the bagpipes.
