By Ben Wolstenholme (RPO Double Bassist)
On the bank of the river just down from the Thames Barrier, there is a workshop. Inside, on a shelf, there’s a tin containing nearly 200 small pieces of ebony with names written on one side. These are the names of double bass players going back generations. It’s a miniature history of the double bass in the palm of your hand.
What on earth has this got to do with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra?
Josh began playing the trombone in Cheltenham Silver Band at the age of 10 and soon joined the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. From 2013-2016 he was a member of the Fairey Band and during this time he performed with most of the UK’s top brass bands including Cory, Black Dyke and Grimethorpe.
“The fantastical quality of sound is what gets me out of bed,” says Tom Coult, the composer of Codex (Homage to Serafini), a piece for large orchestra that is being performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru at Cadogan Hall on Thursday 20 June.
Since rising star Kian Soltani made his international breakthrough at the age of nineteen, he has played with the leading orchestras and conductors in the world’s most prestigious venues. Hailed as ‘a soloist of the highest level among the new generation of cellists’ after winning the International Paulo Cello Competition 2013 in Helsinki, his playing is revered for its technical mastery and emotional intimacy.
