David Evans

  • Instrument

    Double Bass

  • Outside of BPO, what is your occupation?

    Largely retired now after a career in further education management, learning technologies and e-learning design

  • How long have you been a member of BPO?

    Since 2002

  • What inspired you to take up your instrument?

    I started playing the cello at 8 but was bored by it. After a few years I found a double bass in the music room cupboard that nobody else played and that seemed much cooler.

  • How did you come to join the orchestra?

    I was recommended to join by my bass teacher, Charles Wall of the CBSO


  • Most treasured occasion with the BPO?

    Playing Das Rheingold in Symphony Hall


  • Any moments you would rather forget?

    A concert in Stratford a few years ago when the orchestra vastly outnumbered the audiences


  • Favourite composer? Least favourite composer?

    Shostakovich, Wagner, Britten and Mahler are my favourites. I don’t really have a least favourite - but there are plenty who wrote insipid and tedious bass parts!

  • Work(s) you would like to play before you die?

    Tristan und Isolde all the way through. We’ve played it once or twice with BPO but always miss out the bit in the middle.