Angela Malsbury joined the London Mozart Players about 30 years ago!
Where else do you teach/play?
Professor at Royal Academy of Music. I have links with all the major orchestras and chamber groups including the Albion Wind Quintet and De Saram Trio (clarinet, cello and piano) and have played clarinet quintets with numerous string quartets all over the world.
Where were you born?
Preston, Lancashire.
How old were you when you started playing, and why did you take up the clarinet?
I started the piano at the age of three, but moved to the clarinet at age 11 due to many fights with my parents.
What has been your most fun/interesting musical experience so far?
A wonderful Festival at the South Bank some years ago, directed by Simon Rattle, when as a member of the London Sinfonietta I was playing in performances such as Rhapsody in Blue in the original version without strings, and Stravinsky, Janáček and Kurt Weill operas with unusual orchestrations and actors, singers and dancers.
Who have you enjoyed working with the most and why?
Harry Blech, who was the founder of the LMP. He was such a very great musician and talked about tone, musical colours and beautiful phrasing. He had himself been a great violinist and led the Blech String Quartet. Playing for him was an inspirational experience.
Do you play any other instruments?
All the clarinet family, basset horn etc. and piano.
Do you have any hobbies that you manage to fit in your spare time?
Walking (serious with boots!) Swimming. Cooking – I really enjoy food!
Where's your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere with sun and safe seas! Also, as my son is married to a Polish girl, holidays in Polish mountains, with snow, flowers, birds and SUN, and lots of energy used walking and climbing.
What's your favourite sound?
Beautiful bird song. Peace and quiet!
What would you be if you weren't a musician?
Can't imagine life without music. Possibly cooking in a beach bar in the Caribbean wearing a sarong!
