Meet the musician: Marin Alsop
Born in New York City, the daughter of two professional musicians, Marin Alsop’s own musical career began on the violin.
Alsop studied the instrument at The Juilliard School, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, before going on to perform with both the New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet.
After swapping her bow for a baton, Alsop began to earn acclaim as a conductor, firstly as principal conductor, and latterly music director, of the Colorado Symphony. In 2002, she started the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship for female conductors.
Alsop is currently the chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Ravinia Festival, and has also been music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2007. An internationally acclaimed conductor with a long association with the Southbank Centre, she kindly joined us to answer some questions about what classical concerts and classical audiences mean to her.
What do you love about classical concerts?
I love how classical music can grab my emotions and take me on a journey.
What, if anything, would you change about classical concerts?
The rules and stiffness. I like people clapping when they want and having snacks and enjoying the concert.
‘The audience is the absolute deal-maker, because the music doesn’t come to life until the audience arrives.’
How does it feel to perform in a concert? What role do you feel the audience plays in the experience?
The audience is the absolute deal-maker, because the music doesn’t come to life until the audience arrives and every audience is different because of each person that decided to attend.
Any top tips for first-time concert goers?
Try not to judge – yourself, the experience, anything – just enjoy. Music is every human being’s birthright and you were born to experience music. Embrace that.
Can you suggest a piece of music that a newcomer to classical music would enjoy listening to?
I love Brahms, so I would suggest something by Brahms. Perhaps the second movement of the Fourth Symphony. Majestic, intimate, tender, heart-wrenching, joyful, celebratory – all in less than 10 minutes.