Robin Ashwell is well known as the viola player of the Sacconi Quartet, one of the UK’s finest string quartets. He graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2003 with two performance diplomas and a First Class honours degree in both modern viola and baroque viola. Whilst at the College, Robin was awarded all the major viola prizes, including the Cecil Aronowitz Prize, and the Tagore Gold Medal, the College’s highest prize in recognition of achievements and contribution to College life.

In 2001-03, Robin was Principal Viola of the European Union Baroque Orchestra, and played in the Phoebus Trio, a flute-viola-harp ensemble. After founding the Sacconi Quartet with its three other current members in 2001, Quartet life quickly became all-consuming. Currently, in addition to the Quartet, he performs occasionally with the London Symphony Orchestra, and on recording sessions for film, television and radio. Robin teaches at Sevenoaks School and privately, and coaches chamber music at the Royal College of Music, on MusicWorks courses and at the Aberystwyth MusicFest each July.

Robin has performed concertos by Mozart and Elis Pehkonen. He was formerly a student of Andreij Vijtovitch, Ian Jewel, Jan Schlapp, Catherine Mackintosh, Annette Isserlis, and Marguerite Wilkinson, to all of whom he owes a huge debt of gratitude. He is also indebted to Ellen Solomon, whose beautiful Sacconi viola he is privileged to play.