TUNE IN – SUMMER 2020 –
LPO PEOPLE
BACKSTAGE Did you have a musical childhood? What were your first experiences of music? My mum is a philologist, and thanks to her I’ve always been a very keen reader. Hiding under a blanket reading Harry Potter – and later Les Misérables – by torchlight is one of the memories that best sum up my childhood. My grandparents were engineers, and my grandfather taught me to play chess and draughts before I even started school. I actually don’t remember music being a part of my life until I was seven years old, when I was taken to audition for a newly-opened music school in my town. I was so scared that I hid behind the curtains instead of singing a song or clapping a rhythm exercise! They accepted me anyway, as they desperately needed new pupils. So that’s how I started playing the piano, and later the violin. As a former participant on the Orchestra’s Foyle Future Firsts training scheme, how did the programme help you take the next step in your orchestral career? We all received individual lessons from our section leaders – in my case Pieter, the LPO Leader – which helped hugely with audition preparation. We also got lots of ‘sit-in’ opportunities, taking part in full rehearsals with the Orchestra, so that meant the chance to become familiar with lots of repertoire over the year – one of the most difficult aspects of being a musician is the never-ending flow of new repertoire to learn. Another unique opportunity was the chance to perform in smaller ensembles with the other Foyle Future Firsts and LPO members: we gave two pre-concert performances including a chamber arrangement of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, which I was lucky enough to lead. What have been your first impressions of the LPO since becoming a member? They are the most welcoming orchestra I’ve ever worked with! Right from when I started as a Foyle Future First, the other violinists would come and introduce themselves, ask about me, joke around ... We would never be bored if we found ourselves stuck together in lockdown – my colleagues are all such interesting people and can chat about practically anything: politics, books,
I also read a lot: recently I’ve been enjoying Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens, Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum, and The Religions Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by Shulamit Ambalu. Other than that I’ve been rewatching favourite TV series like Sherlock, and I’ve finally seen the latest Star Wars movie! I’ve recently discovered that the park behind my flat has the most stunning sunset view, so that’s where you can find me most evenings.
– LASMA TAIMINA – Latvian violinist Lasma joined the Orchestra’s First Violin section in January 2020. Prior to her LPO appointment, she was a participant on the Orchestra’s Foyle Future Firsts orchestral training programme. gardening, yoga ... ! And of course it goes without saying that they are such wonderful musicians: every time I play with the Orchestra I feel as if I’m part of an inventive, strong, chamber ensemble. How have you been keeping busy and entertained during isolation? At first it was very hard to accept such a huge life change, with no concerts and no work in sight for an unknown period – however, I’ve found a way to use this time to work on myself. I usually start my day with tai chi practice. Tai chi has been a part of my life for a couple of years now, but this is the first time I’ve had the time to fully understand it. I’m learning about the strength and beauty of a movement, breathing, focus, will ... And above all, qigong as a philosophy of life. I practise violin, of course – I’ve challenged myself to learn all the Ysaÿe sonatas!
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Which musician or composer, living or dead, would you most like to meet? It would have to be Richard Wagner. I feel very lucky to have joined the Orchestra just at the right time to perform the whole Ring Cycle! Wagner was not only a genius composer but also a writer, a poet (he wrote his own libretti), and a philosopher. He knew and understood the meaning and significance of every single harmony, tonality and word in his operas. He was trying to discover – and then portray – the true meaning of life. I have read his letters and diaries and they reveal a fascinating personality. Another musician I would have loved to meet is Serge Rachmaninoff. His Second Symphony and the Vespers are always my first choice whenever I need a moment of peace and reflection. Some 10 years ago I read his collected letters, and since then I’ve always thought of him as a very kind, sensitive, hardworking and extremely talented person with a wonderful character. What would your advice be to a young musician hoping to follow in your footsteps? Music must be played with passion – if it is not sincere, if all you do is just move a lot and demonstrate well-studied gestures, then your audience will know it. You must have a story to tell when playing. So read, explore, educate yourself, gain new experiences. And of course always keep your goal clear in your mind and constantly work towards it, even if just a little bit each day. LASMA’S CHAIR IN THE LPO IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY IRINA GOFMAN AND MR RODRIK V. G. CAVE. THE 2019/20 FOYLE FUTURE FIRSTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS GENEROUSLY FUNDED BY THE FOYLE FOUNDATION WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE BARBARA WHATMORE CHARITABLE TRUST, THE FIDELIO CHARITABLE TRUST, THE IDLEWILD TRUST AND THE THRIPLOW CHARITABLE TRUST.