Naomi Bach

What do I like to listen to? 

It is difficult to name favorite compositions because there are so many and they change. I love Bach the most, but we only play it once a year as a symphony orchestra: the St. Matthew Passion. That is one week I always look forward to, even though it comes back every year and I have played it countless times. I still get goose bumps, even if only at the first chord, or when the boys' choir enters, or at the beautiful arias. Actually with everything, for three hours! It is very special to share the stage with two orchestras, two choirs (and of course the wonderful sailor choir!) and the cast of soloists.  

In the orchestra, I prefer to play big works, such as symphonies by Mahler and Bruckner. I would like to play a Mahler symphony every month, they are all wonderful and yet very different. And challenging to play, at least never boring! My favorite is Mahler's Ninth Symphony, I really like the performance with Gergiev by the London Symphony Orchestra and have played it myself with this orchestra. 

Bruckner always has such an exciting build-up. Just not so comfortable to play because as a string player you have to play a lot of tremolo and that really hurts your arm. I am always counting down after the staples (halfway through the part).

Strauss as a violinist is just wonderful to play: you don't get bored for a moment, it is also usually nicely written. So difficult virtuoso parts that you really have to prepare well, but also nice to play with beautiful melodies. Favorite: Don Juan with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. 

Finally, I really like to play (war) symphonies by Shostakovich. My father often listened to this when I was a little girl with the sound very loud, then I thought it was scary! Now I don't. The more brass/percussion the better! Really so cool to be just a miniature third of such a big whole. The Seventh, Eighth and Tenth are my favorite, although they don't make me happy. The slow movements really pierce my heart, for me that is the most sad music that really touches me. Not recommended for a "nice listen" but a great experience to experience and especially for me to play.  

I also really like Bartók's Concert for Orchestra and Daphnis et Chloé by Ravel.