Page 30 - Final_CBSO's 100th Birthday Celebration

marks its centenary year. Here, he talks to Epic Brum Content Director, Dan
Harrison about his impressions of Birmingham, the orchestra and the world-
class Symphony Hall.

Firstly, congratulations on being appointed leader of the CBSO. How
much are you looking forward to leading the orchestra during the 2020-
21 season?

Words cannot describe how much I am looking forward to beginning my
position. The pandemic has postponed some great concerts and tours –
including many related to the orchestra’s centenary, and I am sad but also
sure that we will come out of these challenging times stronger than ever.

Tell us a little bit about your background and career journey. How did
you first get into music?

I was born in Romania into a musical family. I left my homeland in my late
teens to pursue further education in Paris, where I settled until seven years
ago where my fascination for Scandinavia finally became reality and I became
Concertmaster of Denmark’s Odense Symphony. I owe my development to
this fine orchestra and without this experience I wouldn’t be where I am today.
My father – now retired – is an excellent violin teacher. He formed many
generations of young violinists over his 35 years of teaching career and he
started me on the violin when I was around four years old. Although he was
never officially my teacher, I feel that who I am today is due to the incredible
professional and moral guidelines he infused in my development.

For those who are unfamiliar with the make-up of an orchestra, tell us
about your role as the CBSO’s leader…

The leader – or Concertmaster – is technically the first of the first violins, the
conductor’s left hand, and so on…. More specifically, the leader is responsible
for strings in particular and the whole orchestra in general as a central point of
reference when it comes to translating the conductor’s wishes and ideas and
transmitting them to the musicians through body language and impulse.

You’ve performed with orchestras all over the world. What attracted you
to Birmingham and the CBSO?

I only applied for the CBSO job after my first project here, where I was called
in as a guest. It was a quick and intense project where I got to experience the
orchestra together with Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla (CBSO music director) for the
first time and it was unforgettable for me. I wasn’t planning to work in the UK
again, but life is full of surprises and it’s needless to say that this is one of
serious proportions.