Jacqueline Shave has been the leader of Britten Sinfonia since 2005. In February 2011 she leads Britten Sinfonia in English Song, a series of concerts with Mark Padmore featuring some of the most beautiful music for voice and orchestra. Here she answers a few questions about herself;
What has been the highlight of your career so far?Performing Beethoven Quartet Op 131 in the Wigmore Hall about 13 years ago
Any low points?
I was pretty low when I left the Royal College of Music after 2 terms, gave up the violin and went into selling double glazing.
When are you happiest?
On the early morning ferry to the Western Isles with the light bouncing off the water.
What is your greatest fear?
That humans are destroying the natural world
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
My friend Robert who has battled with illness and despite not being able to walk,talk,or eat normally, still finds a will to be alive every day
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was totally embarrassed when I broke down massively at a performance of Elektra and was introduced to Bernard Haitink with a swollen red face and bulbous swollen eyes from crying and I couldn’t speak.
What is your most treasured possession?
My stone collection
What would your super power be?
Definitely to fly
If you were an animal what would you be?
A sea eagle
What is your most unappealing habit?
Picking my mascara off my lashes late at night whilst watching crap TV
What is your favourite book?
Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I don’t feel any guilt about pleasure
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Beethoven, Prince Charles, David Bowie, Frida Khalo, Daniel Barenboim, Ted Hughes, Joni Mitchell, George Eliot, Peter Gabriel.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Paris at the turn of the Century
How do you relax away from the concert platform?
Walking in the Hebrides, traveling, exploring, writing and eating delicious food.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Still being married to my husband
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That we are alone, even when surrounded by people.
In a nutshell, what is your philosophy?
Live your life with truth and love.
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Mark Padmore and Britten Sinfonia, led by Jacquline Shave will perform Finzi's Dies natalis in Cambridge on Monday 7 February, London on Wednesday 9 February and Norwich on Sunday 13 February. More Info
They will also perform Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings with Stephen Bell in Dartington on Sunday 6 February, Southampton on Thursday 10 February and Birmingham on Friday 11 February. More Info
2 comments:
Jacqueline:
"That we are alone. Even when surrounded by people." & the great journey of discovery to feel with one's entire being how that need not be sad, that it is a joyous state, a natural state, our Divine state. \
Thank you for making music in this world. It is not an easy task, but it sure beats selling double panes (confess I don't know what that is, but speculate it is something to do with a window or two!)
Your ever well-wisher,
Wayne
Hi Jack
I remember being on that boat to the Western Isles with you many years ago!
The years have not changed your Celtic looks or kooky personality.
John C
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