MetSO's John Hurford - Life Member
John Hurford
MetSO Life Member
What instrument do you play with the MetSO?
Violin
Why do you play the violin?
Studied the violin in my youth.
How many years have you played with MetSO?
26 years.
How do you support your musical life?
I am a retired Marine Engineer.
Favourite 3 Symphonies
Tchaikovsky No. 4 in F minor,
Beethoven No 3. in E flat (Eroica), and
Dvořák No. 9 in E minor (New World)
Favourite concerto?
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
Favourite 3 composers of all time?
Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and J S Bach
Favourite 20th Century composer?
Rachmaninov
Favourite 3 MetSO concerts?
31 August 2008 - UWA Winthrop Hall
Dvořák Stabat Mater
Conducted by - Burhan Güner
with the UWA Choral Society &
Perth Undergraduate Choral Society (PUCS)
8 April 2018 - Newman Auditorium
Conducted by - Burhan Güner
Featuring: Emmalena Huning - playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
9 Sept 2018 - All Saints Auditorium Bull Creek
Conducted by - Raymond Yong
Featuring: Shuan Hern Lee - playing Rachmaninov’s 3rd Piano Concerto
Favourite 3 instruments by sound quality / timbre?
Violin, Cello, Piano
John & Monty
Best practice tip?
Lots of practice.
Worst instrument failure on stage?
A broken string.
Best tip for overcoming stage fright/performance nerves.
Concentrate on the music and keep fit.
What is your best tip for young players?
Lots of practice.
What is your most useful bit of kit in your instrument case?
My shoulder rest.
Best violin tip in general?
Keep your strings clean.
When do you like to listen to music?
Most of the time.
Where do you like to listen to music?
In the kitchen and the workshop.
Who has provided you with the most support in your musical life?
My late mother and my wife.
What makes you the happiest in your musical life?
Playing my favourite music in a concert.