Rosemary Furniss
Artistic Director & Concertmaster
London Chamber Orchestra
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from Dominic Withers
"How does one become Concertmaster of an orchestra such as the London Chamber Orchestra?"
Lots of practice! I had been Concertmaster of various orchestras before coming to LCO and had also been a desk partner of Christopher Warren-Green in the Philharmonia Orchestra. When Christopher turned to conducting and took up his position with LCO, he invited me to become Concertmaster
from Belinda Jones
"Who have been the biggest influences on your musical career?"
Without a doubt - Yehudi Menuhin. He took me under his wing when I seven years old and actually called me his musical granddaughter. I was a founder-pupil at his school and later on, when I joined the music profession, we performed concertos together and I led orchestras that he was conducting
from Marion Bailey
"Why do conductors use a baton when conducting orchestras and use their hands when conducting choirs?"
I don’t really think it is a matter of conducting choirs without a baton and orchestras with. The great conductor, Yevgeny Svetlanov, never used a baton, but was able to convey something very special, very expressive, by using just his hands. From the musician’s point of view it doesn’t make a great deal of difference, though sometimes it is easier to see the beat, especially in a more complicated piece, when the conductor uses a baton
from Robert Dawes
"Which works do you enjoy performing the most?"
This is a difficult one as the list changes daily! But it’s pretty safe to say anything by Mozart and Schubert
from Lorraine Jeffers
"I have seen the London Chamber Orchestra performing without a conductor. Do you prefer this?!"
A dangerous question! I need to be careful otherwise I could find myself out of a job! When LCO perform without a conductor we tend to be a smaller group of musicians. This is a more intimate way of making music, which reaps its own rewards
from Malcolm Maxwell
"Christopher Warren-Green was a Concertmaster before becoming a conductor – do you intend becoming a conductor?"
No! Absolutely not!
from Hugo James
"How do you spend your spare time?"
What spare time?! Well, I live in the country and adore horse riding. I also read and love a good film
from Loretta Dean
"Who is your favourite solo violinist and do you have a favourite recording by that violinist?"
It has to be Menuhin and the recording that he made aged 16 of the Elgar Violin Concerto. It was the first recording that I ever owned and I played it until it was completely worn out
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