From 1999 until his last performance in 2013, Clive Greensmith was the cellist of the renowned Tokyo String Quartet, on stage for more than 100 concerts a year, and principal cellist of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a founding member of the Montrose Trio, along with pianist Jon Kimura Parker and violinist Martin Beaver. During his more than 25-year career, he has created a catalog of historic recordings for the Harmonia Mundi label.
Greensmith studied with Donald McCall at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and furthered his studies in Cologne with Boris Pergamenščikov. After winning numerous international competitions, he dedicated himself to training and mentoring young talent. In addition to 15 years at Yale University, in residence with the Tokyo String Quartet, Greensmith was active at the Yehudi Menuhin School, the RNCM, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. He currently teaches Cello and chamber Music at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. His students continue to win many prestigious awards and hold important positions in orchestras around the world.
He teaches at the Accademia Chigiana since 2019.