Meyrick Alexander
Principal Basson
London Chamber Orchestra
Find out more about his latest CD The Wandering Bassoon
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"Best musical moment?"
Playing Sibelius 5, in a cave, in Finland. I mean to say...
"Worst musical moment?"
Playing Webern Passacaglia (NOT with LCO!) in La Fenice. It had been going fine as we all thought the conductor was in 2. When we got to the bassoon moment it became obvious he had been in 4 all along and nobody knew where we were. I was the only person playing.
"Funniest (and scariest) musical moment?"
My colleague saying, as I took breath to start the Rite of Spring at the Proms with Simon Rattle:
"It's difficult to know what to say at a moment like this".
"Hobbies"
Walking and sailing
"Favourite place"
Dial y Carreg, high in the Black Mountains
"Children"
(all grown up) three boys - a designer of burglar alarms, a cellist/composer and a university student of drinking.
"Favourite food?"
dall ghosht in The Curry House, Leicester.
"Favourite drink?"
Bitter - from the nearest brewery. The French have wine, we have beer - and it doesn't travel well.
"Favourite country?"
Wales - there is a wonderful book of that name by Jan Morris if explanation is needed.
"Sporting favourites?"
Shaun Goater, Colin Bell, Dennis Tueart. They all played for Manchester City.
"Desert Island Disc?"
I think it would have to be the collected works of The Eagles.
"Ideal dinner party?"
With my wife and the three boys
"Artist?"
At the moment I am crazy about Caspar David Friedrich
"Photographer?"
Bishop Eric Treacy - he specialised in steam engines
"Your Instrument?"
I have 12 bassoons of various types but the one of choice is a Moosmann 222. I spend many hours making reeds without any obvious success.
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