Ashley Mason
Ashley Mason, Section Leader Viola. From London, studied at Kingsway College and the Royal Academy of Music, London. Joined the Ulster Orchestra in 1975.
Earliest musical memory?
My earliest music memory would be hearing my father play the violin. He mostly played on a Sunday and this is something I grew up with. I have very vivid memories of visits of the string section from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to my Primary School after which we would have been bused to the Bingly Hall in Birmingham to enjoy a schools concert, very much like the work that the Ulster Orchestra does now.
First piece of music you fell in love with?
The first piece of music I ever fell in love with was The Dream of Gerontius by Sir Edward Elgar which was one of the first pieces that I was ever paid to play and I’ve very fond memories not only for that reason but because it is such a wonderful piece of music; wonderful choral and solo parts and the words are very special too.
Who were your most important musical influences?
My most important music influences were Jascha Heifetz whose violin playing for me is second to none. His fabulous intonation and a wonderful singing tone combined with his amazing interpretations of absolutely everything he played is a joy to listen to. He was a superb fiddle player who often made playing the violin look so easy! Secondly, when I was studying in London in the early 70’s, George Solti was a huge influence. Solti was at that time chief conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra which was always a viola section that I aspired to be a member of. They were all ancient- in their 60’s and 70’s but had massive enthusiasm and experience and produced the most tremendous deep, rich and sonorous viola sound.
What would you be if not a musician?
If I hadn’t have been a musician, I probably would have ended up in the field of performer rights. This is something I’ve always had an interest in. Much earlier I was president of the Northern Ireland Musicians Association which led me to become a founding director of the Performing Artist’s Media Rights Association which sadly, although I am still a director, is currently in liquidation. The duties of the Performing Artist’s Media Rights Association has now been taken over by Phonograpic Performance Limited (PPL) in London. I served as vice-chair for a while and 3 years as chairman which I was very proud of. It was our job to distribute equitable remuneration to British musicians and also to pass monies that were collected for foreign musicians to sister societies all over the world, which is a very important job that carries on today and will carry on forever.
Having been with the orchestra for over 30 years now, what is your most memorable moment?
I joined the Ulster Orchestra in 1975 which is 32 years ago. My most memorable moment without question was a concert which the orchestra performed in 1986 in the Musikverein in Vienna with the conductor Tod Handley and fantastic blind pianist Bernard D’Ascoli. This concert hall is steeped in history; Brahms premiered his symphonies there and Felix Mendelssohn was conductor there and so there is an aura about this very special concert hall. The orchestra played Prokofiev Symphony No.5 after which the orchestra got a slow hand clap from the Viennese audience, which is the highest accolade, and also a standing ovation. That particular concert will stay with me forever!
Most inspiring composer?
The most inspiring composer would have to be Sir Edward Elgar. I fell in love with his music at a very early age. He has written wonderful string, orchestral and choral works and there is music in his compositions for every mood imaginable. I don’t have one favourite piece of music, it depends on the mood I am and what I listen to generally reflects my mood.
Are there musicians in your family?
My father was a semi-professional violinist in London in the 1940’s and played a lot in cafés however he was not classically trained at all. My younger brother is a top session player in London and is a very fine violinist in his own right and works in all sorts of spheres from the BBC concert orchestra to leader of the orchestra for Phantom of the Opera for many years. He is now a full-time session player in London.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of the Ulster Orchestra I like to eat fine food and drink fine wines. I have a passion for hot, spicy food as a result of which I started growing my own chilli plants a number of years ago which has been great fun. I also enjoy the work that I do for the benefit of all performers.