Violinist Tim Fisher retires from the Orchestra after 38 years of service

Tim Fisher, has been a dedicated member of the Orchestra’s First Violin section for over 38 years, having joined fresh out of music college in 1986. Tim’s deep love of music, which began as a young child in Portsmouth, has fuelled his life on the stage, and we’re lucky to have benefitted from his commitment throughout the years. We spoke to Tim about his musical journey with the BSO.

How did your journey with the Orchestra begin?

It was during my final year at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban Conservatoire) that I saw the position with the BSO advertised. I auditioned during the Easter holiday of 1986 and was fortunate enough to be successful in the trial. It was a great feeling to go back to college after the Easter holidays knowing that I had a job lined up!

My journey with the BSO started much before that, though. Having grown up in Portsmouth, I used to watch the Orchestra play with my parents and favourite aunt and uncle at Portsmouth Guildhall. Seeing the BSO play made me realise that I wanted to take up the violin and so on my seventh birthday I began lessons. I then started playing with Hampshire Youth Orchestra, and the rest is history.

Tim playing with the Orchestra in 2010

Having grown up in Portsmouth, what does it mean to have a close connection with your local orchestra?

It’s very special to me that I first saw the BSO play all those years ago in Portsmouth and that I’ve been able to have this ongoing story with them. They are just an amazing orchestra to work for — the players are fantastic. Sitting amongst all of them you think; this is stunning. The volume and the quality of musicians is amazing; I’m very lucky to have been part of it for this length of time.

I love the way of life here in the South West. Living in London as a student I knew that I wanted a different way of life as an orchestral musician: this area is great for family and the routine for the Orchestra works well, and it’s a beautiful place to be based too.

What stand out as your highlights over the years?

There have been so many highlights! Fifteen years with Kirill Karabits as Chief Conductor was magic. He trusts us as an orchestra, so the rehearsals really consisted of him checking that we know how to play the piece. When he arrives at the concert you then get a proper performance; a real live experience! Kirill bends the music to how he wants it; there are twists and turns, and he changes it as he goes. It’s a shame the audience can’t see his facial expressions during the concert as he is so expressive — although of course you can watch the Digital Concerts these days for close-up shots, which is great.

Another huge highlight for me was the three-week trip to Paris when we played in the Champs Elysée Theatre. That theatre was where the The Rite of Spring was first played and it’s also where the riot took place with Stravinsky in 1913. It was an amazing trip, we were playing Falstaff every other night, and it was wonderful to be able to wander around Paris each evening.

Of course, meeting my lovely wife, Emma, has to be included here too. She joined the BSO the year after me in 1987 [and worked for the Orchestra for a total of 25 years in the Head Office team]. We got married a couple of years after meeting.

We hear you’ve got involved in lots of different things over the years, from long distance cycling to volunteering as a motorcyclist for the NHS?

My son and I used to make a weekend of the Osborne House concerts on the Isle of Wight; we’d cycle there and back over the weekend. I also cycled from Lands’ End to John o’ Groats in fourteen days on my own, completely unaided. I was cycling about 60-65 miles a day and was two stone lighter by the time I finished! The second time, my wife Emma, our daughter Meg and our Dalmatian came along as a support group.

When my parents became ill, I wanted to put something back into the NHS. That’s how I joined the National Association of Blood Bikes. It’s a completely voluntary role; you’re on call from 7pm at night until 7am the next morning on selected days and I used to do it twice a month. If any hospital in the local area needs something urgently you are called to transport it by motorcycle, for example, between Salisbury and Southampton. It might be blood, platelets, samples or anything that is urgently needed and must to be transported at speed. Because motorcyclists can weave around traffic jams, it’s so much more efficient than someone driving. The furthest I travelled was 220 miles in one night and over my entire time volunteering as a Blood Biker I rode 15,000 miles. It was very meaningful to me to be able to contribute to such a vital service in that way.

Tim playing with the Orchestra

You’re finishing with a special concert, tell us more…

I spoke to Kirill last year and said “Kirill, what are you doing in March?” He suspected something immediately and said “no, you’re not going to leave?”. But when I heard what the programme was, I decided that it would be a good week to finish on. Not only is it a brilliant week of music (the Concerto for Accordion will be particularly special), but there are also concerts in both Exeter and the newly revamped Bristol Beacon — what a venue, we are so lucky to play there and to be Orchestra in Residence in Bristol.

It feels correct to be finishing now. It’s nice to round off my time with the Orchestra with these special couple of weeks. Although I’m retiring, I don’t intend to stop playing the violin – I’ll still play for the pure enjoyment, and I’m sure I’ll be back to play with the Orchestra from time to time too!

What’s next?

Emma and I are hoping to travel more in our motorhome. We love walking and have already completed the Dorset Coast Path, the South Downs Way and the stunning 96-mile West Highland Way. We’ll hope to complete the South West Coast Path next, although not all at once! I’m also looking forward to doing more cycling and getting stuck into those big projects you can’t do when working. And, we’re looking forward to exploring Europe more too – Lily, our Dalmatian, is sure to tag along on all these adventures and sing along to my violin whenever possible!

Come along to see Tim play in his final concerts with the BSO this week in Poole [26 Mar] , Exeter [27 Mar] and Bristol [28 Mar].

And watch our special video tribute to Tim below!