Philip Borg-Wheeler

Have you always wanted to play in an orchestra?
Yes.

When did you join the BSO?
I joined in 1977.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The physical excitement of some performances.

Name a musical personality living or dead you would most like to meet?
I would like to meet any of Chabrier, Silvestri and Nikolaus Harnoncourt.

Which piece of music do you enjoy playing?
I enjoy 95% of everything, but favourites include Elgar symphonies, Nielsen symphonies and Haydn symphonies.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What are your hobbies?
I like bird-watching, watching AFC Bournemouth football team and Hampshire County Cricket team - also listening to and reading about music, as well as reading literature old and new, dog-walking and cycling.

What do you like most about living on the South Coast?
I like being able to watch wildlife in a great variety of habitats.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
My highlight was playing for Falstaff in Paris with the Welsh National Opera - also many concerts with Paavo Berglund and Kees Bakels.
     
Which piece of music would you take to a desert island?
If horribly limited to one piece, I would take Bach's B minor Mass.

Do you play any other instruments?
I play the clarinet.

What would you do if you weren’t a musician?
I might try something to do with bird or animal conservation.

Are you from a musical family?
My family liked music and my maternal grandmother taught music.

Does your family come to see you play in concerts?
Yes, my wife does.

The orchestra regularly travels lot on the coach. Do musicians tend socialize together according to their instrument?
Many, but not all, do.