Why I Chose Backun
“I chose to play Backun because each instrument reflects the perfect balance between craftsmanship, innovation, and the musical possibilities it offers. The precise response, technical comfort, and richness of tone allow me to express myself with complete freedom. Switching to Backun meant placing my trust in an instrument that embodies excellence in every note.”
About
Jorge Miguel Gonçalves de Sousa (1999) is a Portuguese clarinetist who graduated from the University of Minho, where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Clarinet and a Master’s degree in Music Education. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Orchestral Conducting and Rehearsal and is a candidate for a PhD in Cultural Sciences.
He has served regularly as Clarinet Soloist B of the Guimarães Orchestra since 2021 and also collaborates with the Orquestra Clássica do Centro, the Orquestra do Algarve, and various professional ensembles in Portugal. He has performed as an extra musician with the Neue Philharmonie München and has participated in prestigious training programs and projects, including the Fames Institute and the Ceuta International Symphony Orchestra.
He has received numerous awards in international competitions, notably First Prize and the D.ª Maria Aldina Fernandes Valente Prize at the Oliveira de Azeméis International Wind Competition (2025), First Prize (in a tie) at the Alto Minho International Wind Competition (2023), as well as distinctions at the Moscow Music Competition, 21st Century Talents Competition, and Medici International Music Competition, among others. In 2024, he undertook an extensive tour of China, performing 23 concerts in some of the country’s most prestigious concert halls.
His training includes masterclasses with some of the most influential figures in the clarinet world, such as Alessandro Carbonare, François Benda, Arno Piters, José Franch-Ballester, Richard Hawkins, Tibor Reman, and Yehuda Gilad, among many others.
Alongside his artistic career, he maintains an active teaching profile, working at various institutions and mentoring students who have won prizes in national competitions.
He is currently a member of Quinteto Sinestesia and Quarteto Prometheus, maintaining an active performance schedule in addition to his regular collaborations with professional orchestras.
