Winston Webber with “Best Seat in the House”
Leah Roseman interviews violinist Winston Webber’s with a focus on his wonderful book “ Best Seat in the House: love letters to a profession” and you’ll be hearing Winston read from the book, and share memories with us of musicians such as Pinchas Zukerman, Karl Ancerl, Ida Haendel and Greta Kraus. He also shared his experiences of violin lessons with Lorand Fenyves and conducting lessons with Sixten Ehrling, many moving experiences on tours, and insights into composers. They exchanged ideas about programming and concert presentation, and his experience of quitting the Toronto Symphony to go to University of Toronto to study pre-med science while conducting several orchestras, before he borrowed a violin to change directions again to audition for NACO. Winston has recently retired from his position as Assistant Principal Second Violin of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions of this interview.
Jeremy Mastrangelo: Transcript
The transcript of my interview with Jeremy Mastrangelo. The podcast and video versions are linked here. Violinist Jeremy Mastrangelo is a wonderful colleague of mine in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He’s known in our greenroom as a great storyteller, onstage as an excellent musician, and having heard him give brilliant masterclasses I can attest to his excellence as an educator as well. This episode is infused with Jeremy’s wit and wisdom as well as a couple of beautiful violin performances. We talk about violin shopping in Cremona, teenage life at Interlochen Academy, the difficulties and joys of a career as an orchestral musician, family, and the benefits of deepening our understanding of the composers we play. You will find that one of the wonderful stories in this episode, reveals an unexpected discovery!
Douglas Burden Transcript
Transcript of my episode with Douglas Burden, bass trombone player with the National Arts Centre Orchestra for 50 years before his retirement in 2022. The podcast and video versions are linked.