Stefano Canuti: International Chair in Chamber Music & Bassoon

The RNCM is delighted to announce a new professorship for the Italian bassoon soloist Stefano Canuti, who will become the College’s William Waterhouse International Chair in Chamber Music and Bassoon from September 2016.

Stefano Canuti is recognised worldwide as one of the most charismatic and talented bassoonists of his generation. Although starting out as an orchestral player, Stefano is most distinguished as a brilliant soloist, chamber musician and inspirational teacher. With a high profile international career of over 30 years, he has performed and taught in major concert halls, conservatoires, conferences and festivals right throughout continental Europe, across the United States, South America, China, Japan, Australia and Scandinavia.

Stefano Canuti

As International Chair he will visit the RNCM for one week of teaching and performing each month, coaching bassoonists, woodwind and cross-school chamber music ensembles. In addition to the professorship the RNCM will provide, annually, two William Waterhouse Bassoon Scholarships to young bassoonists with outstanding potential who wish to study at the College.

The RNCM is honoured to have the support of the Waterhouse family in making this appointment. One of the world’s truly great musicians, William Waterhouse was a widely-respected bassoonist, teacher, scholar, curator and mentor. A professor at the RNCM from 1966-1996, Bill was admired not only for his great knowledge and intellectual capacity but for living vividly; with boyish curiosity, enthusiasm and sense of adventure right up until his sudden passing in Florence, Italy, in 2007.

Bill’s remarkable influence lives on through his world-wide network of protégés, which includes Stefano Canuti among them. In accepting his new position Stefano remarked: ‘Spero, anche solo in piccola parte, di essere degno di avere il nome di Bill vicino al mio… Farò di tutto perché l’essenza di Bill rimanga con me e con i giovani musicisti: passione ed intelligenza senza confini…’ (‘I hope to be worthy to have my name close to Bill’s…I’ll do my best to keep with me and with the young musicians, the deep meaning of Bill’s life: passion and intelligence without boundaries…’).

Stefano Canuti 2

The RNCM would like to express special gratitude to Bill’s widow Elisabeth Waterhouse, musician and tireless supporter of Bill throughout their long married life together, and their three children Graham, Celia and Lucy.

Photo credit: Victoria Haydn

6 July 2016