The musician
Graham Bradshaw At the Proms since… 1978
‘‘ I joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra when I was 25. I thought I’d do it for a year or two and gain some experience, but here I am 40 years later. It’s such a fantastic, varied job with such a lovely group of people, and the Proms is one of the most exciting times
of year for us. We often get to perform blockbuster programmes with particularly big conductors, so it’s very exciting.
The conductors are all so different. Günter Wand was very tetchy, liable to walk out at any moment, but in the concert he was totally in his own world and took us all with him. Bernard Haitink is always incredibly respectful and on our side – he’s a team leader. They all get their results in such different ways.
We usually only have two or three days of rehearsal before a Prom – British orchestras are famous for being able to sight-read and learn very quickly.
The Proms are in a different league to when I joined and the orchestra is now in a much stronger playing position, so I feel extremely lucky to be here. There has been a steep upward trajectory to becoming a world-class orchestra, and we are so privileged to have Sakari Oramo. The Hall has changed too: it’s much smarter and the backstage areas are vastly improved. It’s a wonderful place to play nowadays.
Favourite Prom: Because I’m co-principal cello, I don’t usually get to do the ‘Tom Bowling’ solo in the British
Sea Songs on the Last Night. One year our principal Susan Monks cut her finger very badly so I got the call up. She was standing backstage with a glass of champagne when I finished.