Martyn Jones

How long have you been a member of the BPO?
I joined on 16th June 1978, so 30 years.

What inspired you to take up your instrument?
Seriously, it was the only one left in the cupboard at school.

How did you come to join the orchestra?
I was recommended by my then teacher.

Most treasured occasion with the BPO?
So many, so difficult to choose; however the Wagner concerts in 1999 were a distinct highlight.

Any moments you'd rather forget?
The whole horn section did not know that a concert start time had been brought forward, so we missed the overture. Highly embarrassing!

Favourite composer?
Richard Strauss

Least favourite composer?
Benjamin Britten

Work(s) you'd like to play before you die?
Three works:
Mahler’s Symphony No 3, the only one that I have yet to play.
Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. I had waited years to play 1st horn in this piece; however when we played it in 2007 I missed it due to just having had surgery, which was very frustrating.
Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier - the whole opera; but I doubt that I will ever get the chance.