Carmine Lauri has been a member since 1997, Visiting Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, playing a Stradivari violin kindly loaned by Anna Goldman FV, Chair endowed in loving memory of the conductor Yuri Ahronovitch by his wife, Tami.
‘My uncle, who played the violin as an amateur and lived next door to us, used to come and play the violin in my house and at the age of two I used to imitate him playing with just a pair of wooden spoons. That’s how it started. I played my first concert with the LSO in September 1993 after finishing my studies at the Royal Academy of Music and became a member in 1997. I became Co-Leader in 2001.’
From Roman Simovic, First Violin and Leader
‘It was absolute joy and privilege to share the stand with Carmine for so many years. I’ve learned a lot from him. Carmine’s experience in the orchestra and his knowledge of the repertoire is huge and without him I had no chance to survive for the first few years in the Orchestra. He is someone who would call me few days before the rehearsal of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony to ask me if I had a second violin ready for the second movement! He protected me from the embarrassment! Carmine jumped in so many times for me when being sick on tour or being late for the rehearsals playing huge violin solos with ease and getting huge applause from the orchestra! His unique way of old fashion, incredible violin playing will be hugely missed. Carmine’s contribution to the Orchestra cannot be described in such a short text. We had always incredible time playing together and I always had a smile on my face when working with him.
I remember hearing Schindler’s List on the radio not knowing who is playing. I had to stop and listen. It was one of the most beautiful violin playing I’ve ever heard. After the performance Carmine‘s name was announced as a performer! I wish Carmine that all his wishes come true in the future!‘
From Claire Parfitt, First Violin
‘It’s a great loss both musically and socially, as Carmine believed utterly in the LSO, having spent over thirty years as a member and almost 24 as Co-Leader for concerts, films, sessions, recitals and more.
Yet there are many other musical avenues he now wants to explore bringing his special ability of magic, friendliness, humour and integrity. I shall miss the garlic laden meals on tour, his technical ability to play anything with extraordinary ease and his obsession for radio equipment in foreign local markets! Allora Carmine.’
From Patrick Laurence, Double Bass
‘I was very sad to hear that Carmine has left us after 31 years. He has been an enormous asset to the LSO.
As Leader and Co-Leader he always plays with great flair, commitment and virtuosity, and his beautiful solo playing is such a pleasure to listen to. Visiting artists and recording clients have also valued his enthusiastic support. Such an important aspect of his role.
Carmine was always destined to sit at the front of a first violin section. He clearly felt though, that this destiny should apply to other areas of his orchestral career. On tour he just had to be first to check in after the orchestra arrived at the airport by bus. Strategic stowing of his suitcase in the hold of the bus, careful seat selection and an ability to walk fast without actually running would always cause great amusement for the rest of us. A seat as near as possible to the front of the aeroplane was also a necessity! Witnessing the competition between Carmine and Jonathan Lipton (French horn) in this pursuit brightened many a dull and tedious check in.
An electronics aficionado and expert. Carmine’s hobby is repairing and restoring such equipment, particularly his beloved reel to reel tape recorders. If you have tapes or recorders that you don’t want please send them to him c/o LSO! He is always generous with his advice and has repaired such equipment for his colleagues on a regular basis.
The term ‘A great orchestra character’ is one that I sometimes use when recalling certain friends and colleagues. Never was that term more appropriate than in Carmine’s case!
Dear friend, we’ll miss you!’
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