James Pullman

What inspired you to take up music?
When I was about 7, my dad took me to see the National Children's Orchestra in the town hall in Oxford. I remember that they played Danse Macabre, and I loved it. I took up the violin soon after that and was promoted to the viola when I was 16.
 
When did you join the BSO?
I joined the BSO in 2005.

What do you enjoy about your job?
The best thing about the job is being part of something far bigger than myself, that people come from far and wide to enjoy. I'm constantly humbled by the lengths and expense that people go to in order to come to hear us play.

Name a musical personality living or dead you would most like to meet?
I'd like to meet Schoenberg, shake his hand and tell him Verklaerte Nacht is utterly wonderful, then punch him on the nose and tell him atonalism is just horrible.

Which piece of music do you enjoy playing?
Beethoven 7. If you've got any energy left after playing it, you've done a terrible job and should be ashamed of yourself.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What are your hobbies?
My hobby is astronomy, or it should be because I spent most of my spare time staring into space.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Playing a St. Valentine's night concert with a quartet I used to play in, at a packed St. John's, Smith Square. 

Which piece of music would you take to a desert island?
Common People by Pulp, it never fails to fill me with righteous anger.

What would you do if you weren’t a musician?
Probably something a lot more boring.