SCHOLFIELD-Clarke Duo

The Scholfield Clarke Duo stands out as one of the most exciting Scottish chamber music ensembles of their generation. Renowned for their innovative recital programs, they expertly blend traditional and contemporary elements, captivating audiences with their fresh interpretations and dynamic performances.

“This was a first-class recital, a well-chosen programme, and outstanding playing... The whole treated us to some excellent playing allied to a deep musical understanding. The momentum and drive from both players was perfect"

-Richard Ingham, CASSGB Magazine, Autumn 2026 issue (Volume 51, Number 3)

Comprising saxophonist Richard Scholfield and pianist Iain Clarke, the duo was formed in 2016 while the musicians were studying together at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Their artistic partnership is built on a shared commitment to expanding the classical saxophone repertoire and exploring the instrument’s expressive possibilities through both established works and new music.

Their repertoire encompasses an extensive range of music, from transcriptions of works by Ravel, Gershwin and Prokofiev to original compositions for saxophone and piano by Debussy, Glazunov, Fernande Decruck and Takahashi Yoshimatsu. They also champion contemporary composers through new commissions, including Another Life by John De Simone and Equinox Songs: Machrie by Tom W. Green.



The duo has established a strong presence on the UK chamber music scene, with performances at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London and Perth Concert Hall, among other venues. In 2024, they completed a six-concert tour of Scotland supported by the Tunnell Trust, featuring a specially written work by John De Simone. Later that year, support from the Hinrichsen Foundation enabled a further tour of Western Scotland, including the premiere of a new commission by Tom W. Green. Their subsequent engagements included a tour of Scotland in April 2026 and a recital for Barnes Music Society in London in June 2026.

Pianist Iain Clarke is an accomplished collaborative pianist whose work spans chamber music, orchestral performance and recording. He regularly performs with major UK orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. From 2022 to 2024, he held a collaborative piano fellowship at the Royal College of Music, working with its Woodwind, Brass and Percussion departments. His chamber music engagements include a recital at Wigmore Hall in May 2024 with horn player Olivia Gandee, while his recording credits include Malcolm Williamson’s Concerto for Two Pianos (8 hands) and Wind Quintet, released by Divine Art in 2025.

Through their continued performance and commissioning activity, the Scholfield Clarke Duo seeks to broaden the appreciation of classical saxophone music and strengthen its place within contemporary chamber music. Their work connects audiences with a repertoire that spans centuries and styles, while creating opportunities for new compositions to become part of the instrument’s evolving musical tradition.