Fiona Bonds

Principal Viola

On CLS career to date

Steve Tees who was CLS' principal viola rang me in 2008 and asked me if I'd like to come in as the orchestra were looking for a No.2. Having always loved working with Steve and enjoyed playing guest principal with the orchestra on previous occasions, I jumped at the chance. When Steve announced he was leaving it seemed the natural thing to ask to be considered as principal. During my trial period I very much enjoyed the friendly, welcoming atmosphere in the orchestra and some great music making, so was thrilled to be appointed. I'm very excited about becoming more involved with CLS as it enters its new phase with the recently appointed musical directors and am really looking forward to taking part in the varied and lively outreach programme the orchestra presents.

 

On most memorable concert

My career as a musician has been going about 20 years now. The Emperor String Quartet, which I founded with fellow CLS members Martin Burgess, Clare Hayes and Will Schofield, has always been my first love and we've managed to sustain its career in a difficult market by making sure that we coordinate our other work as much as possible so that we can arrange our concert diary whilst maintaining the other playing we find rewarding. I play No. 2 in The Academy of St Martin in the Fields chamber orchestra as well, a position which has given me the privilege of travelling the world, working with musicians such as Joshua Bell and Murray Perhaia. I have mostly specialised in chamber music and chamber orchestras, since for me personally the buzz I get from communicating with my fellow musicians in this way can't be beaten. Having said that, I have also enjoyed working on many film and TV commercial sessions and have most recently been touring with Peter Gabriel which has been wonderful. I love my work and feel very lucky to be doing what I'm doing.

 

On relaxation

When off the concert platform, my main priority is to spend as much time with my family as possible, as my job inevitably involves time away. I love to go running both at home and while I'm on tour as I love the time it gives me to think and it's a great stress-reliever. Lots of musicians seem to be getting into it now, as it counteracts the more sedentary nature of our work - there's a lot of sitting involved!

 

My Desert island Discs

Ravel's String Quartet, Faure's Requiem, Mozart's G minor Viola Quintet and any of the string quartets, Beethoven's Symphony No 7, Mozart's Piano Concertos, any of them...plus any number of the tracks from Peter Gabriel's Scratch My Back album. That's off the top of my head, there's really too many to choose!