What is your name? Geoff Cutler
What instrument do you play? Viola
How long have you been playing? 45 years total, 10 years violin, 35 years viola
How long have you played with OSJ? 6 years
What is your favourite piece of music? Mahler’s 2nd Symphony, I was fortunate enough to attend a performance given by Simon Rattle and the Berlin Phil at the Philharmonie a few years ago and was mesmerised by the sheer scale and power of the piece….truly memorable.
What was your most memorable performance? Brahms Piano Concerto with Stephen Hough and the Sinfonia of Birmingham in April 2013, the communication between soloist and orchestra was palpable and the quality of playing was exceptional for an amateur orchestra.
Where and what would you like to perform but haven’t yet? As an amateur musician I’ve been lucky enough to play in some great concert halls including the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Symphony Hall and Birmingham Town Hall. If not limited to the UK I would love to play in the Vienna Musikverein or the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The only Mahler symphony I have not played is No 9 so i would love to play that.
Who is your favourite composer? I think you may be able to guess that it is Mahler.
What is your favourite part about playing in OSJ? Playing in OSJ is musically and socially rewarding, we get to play some great music and have fun doing so, exactly what amateur music making is about.