By THIRSTY
Adam Walker was appointed principal
flute of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2009 at the age of 21. As a soloist, he
regularly performs with the major UK orchestras, including the BBC
Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Hallé,
Bournemouth Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony and has performed with the
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic, Auckland
Philharmonia, Malaysian Philharmonic, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber
Orchestra, Solistes Européens, Luxembourg and the RTE National Symphony
Orchestra.
He has given World Premieres of Brett
Dean’s The Siduri Dances with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
(2011), Kevin Puts’ Flute Concerto at the invitation of Marin Alsop at
the Cabrillo Festival (2013) and Huw Watkins’ Flute Concerto with the
London Symphony Orchestra under Daniel Harding.
In 2017, he was selected to take part
in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s prestigious “CMS Two” Program
for the 2018 - 2020 seasons and he will be appearing at the Saratoga Performing
Arts Center in the Summer of 2019.
Stay Thirsty Magazine was very happy to visit with Adam
Walker in London for these Five Questions about his career, his instrument and his
idols in the field.
STAY THIRSTY: What was it like to be appointed principal flute for the
London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) at 21? Where you ready psychologically and
emotionally for such a prominent position?
ADAM WALKER: During my college years, I’d been freelancing regularly as a
principal flutist in London Orchestras. So by the time I was appointed in the
LSO, the chair felt a natural and good place to be. Of course, it was quite
hardcore having to learn so much new music suddenly – the repertoire turnover
in London is very quick – but it was incredibly exciting. I was also lucky to
have incredibly supportive colleagues in my section both on and off the stand –
actually, one of the things that attracted me to the LSO was the amount of fun
I had on tour!
STAY THIRSTY: You have played all over the world, from Baltimore to Seoul
from Malaysia to Vienna. How do audiences around the world differ in their
reception to the flute?
ADAM WALKER: I think it’s safe to say that, internationally, the flute
isn’t always jumped on as a choice of solo instrument. As a concerto soloist, a
lot of the audience in a symphony concert will be drawn to the orchestra, and
the repertoire, including the symphony. Whilst it’s nice to meet fans of the
flute as an instrument, I am always super happy and thrilled to meet certain
members of the audience who wouldn’t necessarily have chosen to listen to a
solo flute performance but leave the concert feeling differently. The same
applies to chamber music festivals. Also, as a flute player, I feel a duty to
promote and engage with contemporary music. We don’t have so much of the
romantic repertoire that you hear ad nauseam on the violin, but we have
exciting new works being written for us now, which I love.
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| Adam Walker |
STAY THIRSTY: You recorded Kevin Puts Flute Concerto with Marin
Alsop and the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. What attracted you to the work of
Kevin Puts and Marin Alsop? Did they bring something special to your work?
ADAM WALKER: I wasn’t familiar with the work of Kevin until Marin
contacted me to ask if I would like to premiere his flute concerto with her at
the Cabrillo Festival. I’d worked with Marin before as an orchestral player, in
fact right at the start of my career, and have always enjoyed collaborating
with her.
I was thrilled to discover Kevin’s music, and was so happy
with the beautiful concerto he wrote for me. His writing for the flute is quite
virtuosic, which is a challenge, but very satisfying to play.
STAY THIRSTY: You will be appearing this summer at the Saratoga Performing
Arts Center with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. What is it about
that venue that intrigues you?
ADAM WALKER: This summer will be my first trip to Saratoga. Most of my
trips to the US have been to the major cities, so I love an opportunity to go
somewhere different and new!
I’m so happy to have become a part of the Chamber Music
Society of Lincoln Center – The Bowers Program and am thrilled to be coming
back to the US to collaborate with great musicians.
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| Vocalise - Adam Walker (Flute) - James Baillieu (Piano) |
STAY THIRSTY: Who are your idols in the world of the flute? How have you
been influenced by their work?
ADAM WALKER: Musically, I grew up mostly surrounded by string players and
pianists, at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. I have to say that I was
never a massively “flutey” person, and I would rarely listen to flute music. I
much prefer to listen to a fabulous singer or great pianist. In that sense,
chamber music is such a huge pleasure for me. There are so many amazing flute
players who I have admiration and respect for so it’s hard to pick some in
particular. But I would definitely mention the British historical flute player
Rachel Brown, a total genius. I also love the recordings of Alain Marion, an
exponent of the fabulous French flute school.
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