Chris Blake
Where did you study music?
I studied horn and piano as joint 1st study instruments at the Royal College of Music and graduated with 1st class honours winning the Tagore Gold Medal for most distinguished male student (Ken Montgomery was a previous holder of the award!)
Earliest musical memory?
My mother listening to Solomon playing Chopin on “78”s
Most inspiring composer?
To difficult to choose – different in different moods – Mahler. Richard Strauss, Wagner, Vaughan Williams, Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, John Ireland, Herbert Howells, EST (Swedish Jazz Trio)...
Who were your most important musical influences?
That early Solomon recording, Joyce Thain who was my main piano teacher while I was at school, recordings of Denis Brain, Douglas Moore – my horn teacher, Karen Diamond – head therapist of the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust, whose work with children on the autistic spectrum led me to discover in a new way the power of music.
What’s the best thing about your instrument?
The sound it makes – whether gentle, haunting, magical or loud and heroic
Do you perform in ant other groups?
Over the years I have played horn in a number of wind quintets – one London-based and then 2 different ones from the orchestra. As a pianist I have accompanied a number of the members of the orchestra, but more recently have established a permanent partnership as pianist for Ruth Bebb (viola and violin) called the Orion Duo
What’s in your cd player right now?
Jacques Loussier playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Most memorable moments with the UO?
Our 1st European tour including a concert in the Musikverein in Vienna under Vernon Handley, recording and performing the orchestral works on Debussy and Ravel under Pascal Tortelier and playing in New York City in October after 9/11 – the people were so touched that we had travelled to NY in those days of fear of air travel!
What would you be if not a musician?
I would work doing music with children with learning difficulties. Through my partnership with Ricky Matson (UO Double Bass player), I have discovered a passion for connecting with these special children through music. We already work in many Special Schools doing creative projects with the children who are astonishingly responsive to musical expression. I spend every friday morning now at Parkview Special School where I work with individuals, helping them to find self confidence, self expression and relationship through experiences of music.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to spend time with my wife and children, I have an allotment where we grow fruit and vegetables, We enjoy hillwalking and birdwatching (well that's more my thing!)
We are also committed members of a Belfast church and have been involved in much of its life. I am also music co-ordinator. The church has been very involved in reconciliation – one of the activities that began some 20 years ago is a very special choir “exchange” each Christmas with Clonard Monastery. We are invited to take part in their Christmas Carol service and they in ours. It's always a very special occasion.