.png)
IN CONVERSATION - JOSH SPIREK
a2. orchestra team member Charlotte Greenway sat down with double bassist Josh Spirek, who will be performing at our next concert ”The American”. They spoke about Josh’s beginnings as a bassist, the repertoire for the upcoming concert, and playing in a chamber ensemble.
Article No. 13
First off Charlotte began by asking Josh how he first got into learning the double bass and he said, “I was actually a pianist before I began to play double bass. I started taking piano lessons from the age of four from Julia Sykes, before I was offered a bursary in high school to learn double bass when I was about fifteen or so. It was a difficult switch going from a keyboard instrument to a string instrument but I'm very happy that I made the decision to switch”.
Next Charlotte was keen to know what Josh enjoys about the repertoire of our upcoming concerts and he replied, “I'm really excited to play in "The American" as not only do I get to play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, but I also get to be a part of a world premiere performance. Playing and performing contemporary compositions is something I'm really passionate about and something I find extremely rewarding and challenging.
For the world premiere piece, I am lucky to be using a 5-string double bass loaned to me for this concert by WASO double bassist Christine Reitzenstein. This is something I haven't been able to tackle before, so I'm excited to get stuck into it!”
Josh Spirek conducting a2. orchestra at the sold-out "Triumph & Tragedy" in late 2023
Photo by Ryan Kok
Leading on from this, Charlotte enquired to Josh about how he finds small chamber playing compared to playing in a large orchestra, to which he replied, “as a double bassist, we don't have as much chamber music repertoire compared to other string instruments, so the opportunity to play chamber music is less frequent. Because of this, playing chamber music feels like a completely different experience to me. In a small ensemble, I'm more aware of the intimate relationship my part has with the other instruments, and playing exposed melodies and harmonies is more individual and prominent compared to the more collective role I have in a large orchestral double bass section”.
And lastly Charlotte asked Josh if he has a most memorable concert so far, and he said, “I really enjoyed a2. orchestra’s last concert “Reflections", as it was really fun to get stuck into an early Mozart symphony and some trickly solo clarinet pieces. However, my all-time favourite concert was conducting "Triumph & Tragedy" for the sold-out Government House Ballroom in late November last year.
We are looking forward to having Josh perform with us as part of our upcoming concert “The American”. Tickets are selling fast so be sure to book your tickets now to see Josh on stage!
