Music Questionnaire No 13 -Jack Sanderson

Jack Sanderson plays the viola in the chamber ensemble "The Candlelight Players" who play for social functions around the North East of England. He also plays the organ at some of the local churches (although he'll admit to usually being a stand in), and the piano for fun. A chemist and then a mathematician, he taught at Teesside Polytechnic/University until retiring 15 years ago. Now 74, he helps out at the local schools and community centres, travels the world, and goes swimming three times a week.
He also has the dubious distinction of being my dad.

Who are you?

Jack Sanderson

Where are you based?

Middlesbrough

What instruments do you play?

Viola

What is your current or most recent project?

Playing in string quartets/quintets with amateur friends

Name a record that had a big effect on you in your youth-

Beethoven’s violin concerto

What was the last record/CD you played-

Walton’s string quartet

List three records or CDs by artists other than yourself we should all hear-

Bach’s ‘cello suites
Mozart string quintets Beethoven’s Op 18 string quartets

Describe a live performance that had a big effect on you-

Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, horn and Strings

Your favourite live venue-

Darlington Arts Centre

What's the strangest place you've performed in/at?

Minstrel’s gallery in Hartlepool Art gallery

Tell me about a great experience as a performer-

Playing a trio from a Haydn quartet when two young children left their seats and started to dance in front of us.

Is improvisation important to you?

Not yet

Name three heroes or heroines-

Yehudi Menuin, MiroslavRostropovich, Alan Barnes

What is your favourite city?

London

A couple of favourite books-

Civilisation – Kenneth Clark; The Blind Watchmaker – Richard Dawkins

A couple of favourite films-

Moby Dick; Breakfast at Tiffany’s

What makes you laugh?

The Goons


Thanks Dad
The Music Questionnaires are an ongoing series