Retirement Wishes for Andrew Pollock

Born in Manchester, Andrew Pollock’s first experience of violin playing was in group lessons at school, aged seven. He read Geography at Clare College, Cambridge, spending much of his time there playing in orchestras and chamber ensembles, before going on to study violin with Emanuel Hurwitz and at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies, where he had spells as Leader and Principal Second, and chamber music coaching from the Amadeus Quartet. After further lessons from Jack Rothstein, Michel Schwalbé and Barry Griffiths he freelanced with many UK orchestras and first played with the LSO in 1983, becoming an associate member in 1984 and a full member in 1985. Between 1988 and 1997 he served as a Director on the LSO Board.

From Thomas Norris, Co-Principal Second Violin

Among my earliest memories in the LSO is the warmth and kindness Andy showed in welcoming me into the Second Violin section. His sense of humour, his affable nature and his wonderfully sharp mind – never more alive than when breezing through the day’s crossword – will be deeply missed by all of us. We bid him farewell with the greatest affection, wishing him a long, well-deserved and thoroughly happy retirement with his family.

From Matthew Gardner, Second Violin

I first sat next to Andy in 1994, in a performance of Mahler 2 with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting. I was a student at the time, playing with the Orchestra as part of our String Experience scheme. He was a wonderfully warm and welcoming introduction to the Orchestra; a welcome that I know he has extended to many students over the years. Andy has always been the most generous of colleagues, both in his music-making and spirit, with an amazing ability to always be positive, no matter how early the start on tour, or how challenging the concert. I have shared a dressing room with him for over 30 years and his ability to distil both the evening’s triumphs and disasters post-performance is a masterclass in itself. Andy, you are a true gent and will be sorely missed in the Second Violin section, and in Dressing Room 14.

From Claire Parfitt, First Violin

Andy, my colleague, with his dry northern humour, friendliness and the talent of peripheral thinking essential for an orchestral player. He is undoubtedly the Master of Real Ale, having spent hours researching this subject matter. After a concert ‘back in the day’, paper maps were used, marked and put away until the next tour, tabulating tablecloths in restaurants, bars in Japanese back streets, the best local eateries/craft beer from Sapporo and Genoa to Vienna and Seattle – the list was comprehensive. Andy turned this into an art form. Contributing both musically and socially to the myriad that is the LSO. We shall miss him.

From Patrick Laurence, Double Bass

The LSO, and particularly our Second Violin section, are bidding a fond farewell to a highly valued musician and friend after his long association with our Orchestra. Andy’s gentle wit and wisdom make him such great company. A lunch or dinner with him on tour is always a great pleasure. I suggest that his directory of touring restaurants and watering holes should be incorporated into the Orchestra handbook which is given to new members, saving them a lot of time (and money!). Andy and I served on the Board of Directors of the Orchestra at the same time. His understanding of complex issues helped in setting up many of the systems by which the Orchestra is run today. Andy, I wish you a long and happy retirement with Jill (met when she was a member of the London Symphony Chorus!). Enjoy your countryside walks and maybe drop into the occasional hostelry for some refreshment and to raise a glass to your wonderful career with the LSO!

Best wishes for your retirement Andrew, from everyone at the LSO!