Robert Blanken – clarinet

Robert (Rob) Blanken was born in Rotterdam and came to England at the age of 10.  Soon afterwards he began to learn the clarinet with David Leverton and later became principal clarinet in the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra.  He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Neville Duckworth and Sidney Fell gaining his GRNCM and later a performer’s diploma from the Royal College of Music.

Rob’s repertoire includes concertos ranging in style from Stamitz to Artie Shaw.  He plays most of the chamber works for clarinet and has a reputation for excellence – especially in the Monington Duo with pianist Karen Kingsley.  Their duo repertoire numbers over 200 works, including several specially written for them.

Rob is principal clarinet in Havant Chamber Orchestra, Solent Symphony Orchestra, Petersfield Orchestra and numerous chamber ensembles.  In addition to these commitments, he plays clarinet and saxophone in theatre productions throughout the South, the Anemos Wind Quintet and Ensemble Concertante (Clarinet Quartet).  He teaches clarinet at Portsmouth Grammar School and saxophone at Chichester University.