Meet violist Richard O’Neill
Richard O’Neill: Violist performing with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
1 Where are you from?
I was born in Seattle, Wash., and was raised in a small town on the Olympic Peninsula called Sequim.
2 When did you start playing viola?
I started playing the viola when I was 15. Beforehand I had played violin since I was 5.
3 Why are you excited to perform at SPAC?
This is my second time to Saratoga Springs, last summer being my first. I think the venue, the Little Theater at SPAC, is one of the nicest places to play. It sounds great and with all of the natural beauty within steps of the hall, it’s a fun place to be for the week.
4 What should audiences know about your performance at SPAC?
I am involved with the opening week of concerts for this CMS Lincoln Center residency. The first program, Sunday, featured winds, piano and strings with some of my favorite people, including Jen Montone and Ricardo Morales, principal horn and clarinet of the Philly Orchestra. As an aside, I’ve known Jen since we were both young artists at Marlboro in 2000and we both won the Avery Fisher Grant in 2006. Ricardo is one of my favorite musicians and we worked together a few years ago in Seattle. Steve Taylor is the oboist and he was one of the most influential connections I had at CMS during my young artist residency. The program also features pianist Juho Pohonen in a spectacular piano showpiece, “Hummel’s Septet” with pieces by Ligeti, Barber and Mozart on the rest of the program. The second program, Tuesday, will feature my amazing bosses, David Finckel and Wu Han, in an amazing program of Mozart, Brahms and Dvorak as well as violinist Chad Hoopes and cellist Nick Cannelakis.
5 How do you spend your time [or how would you like to spend your time] in Saratoga when you are not performing?
I love running so I’ll be spending time exploring the area on foot. I also loved the coffee and breakfast at Uncommon Grounds so I’ll be there every morning. I am here for the week this time so I’ll finally get to explore all the natural springs. Honored to be here and hope to see you at the concerts.