Welcome to Olatz Ruiz de Gordejuela, our new second Violin

1. At what age did you start playing your instrument, and what made you choose it? Were there any memorable early experiences that made you realise you wanted to do this as a career?

I started playing the violin when I was three. My mum is a musician and my father was a doctor, who is very passionate about music. I have two older brothers so music was a game for us at home. Whenever we came back from school the party started, we would play music all together with my mum on the piano, and my father listening on the door. My parents never intended for us to become musicians, but funnily in the end we all turned out to be one!

I don’t have a specific moment where I realised I wanted to do this as a career, I have never been in the position to have to make a huge decision about it. Of course I had my moments where I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but I loved playing the violin and I was lucky enough to have a very supportive family and opportunities that led me to where I am today.

2. Do you have any heroes on your instrument?

It probably sounds cliche but it would definitely be my teacher, Klara Flieder. Her playing and teaching changed me. She transmitted a profound respect and love for violin playing and music making. She never imposed an idea on me, but instead gave me the tools and space to create my own ideas and identity. Her freedom in playing, musical ideas and her knowledge overall are something I value, and I treasure our lessons and memories together. I will always be in awe of her.

3. What are you most looking forward to in the rest of this LSO season? Any conductors, soloists or repertoire that catch your eye? Any stand-out tour destinations?

I am a huge fan of Italian opera so I am really excited about the opera that’s coming up, La rondine. And I’m really looking forward to see Antonio Pappano conducting opera finally. I am also really excited about playing with Gustavo Dudamel in Spain, my home country. It’s always emotional to play back home with a foreign orchestra, but I think it will be specially nice to play in the great halls we are playing with such a energetic conductor and repertoire. Can’t wait!

4. If you could go back, what advice would you give your younger self as an aspiring musician?

I have the feeling that it’s easy to loose track of what one really wants in a career like this one, especially when we are young. We are so caught up practicing for goals and expectations that were set for us from a really young age, that we no longer know who set up those goals for us. Was it something I truly wanted, or was it just inertia that led me here?

There is nothing wrong with not wanting what society says you should want. There is nothing wrong with not wanting the highest position in the most famous orchestra or not aspiring to win every competition. So I would say listen to yourself and of course, never compare yourself to others. You are walking your own path, you are not supposed to do anything specific, and you are not early or late for anything if you follow your own rhythm.

5. Are there any other interesting things about you we should know? Do you play any other instruments? Do you have any hidden talents?

Not sure if it is very interesting but I love hiking. I was born in a really small town and my family had a farmhouse. My dad loved hiking and our weekends consisted of hiking every possible mountain around. I used to find it really boring as a kid, but I then picked up this love for mountains and I feel my most self when I am up there in silence surrounded by nature.

6. If you had to pick, what is your favourite piece of orchestral music, and why? 

It is not a full orchestra piece. But I would pick the second movement of Ravel’s Piano Concerto. It brings me to tears every time. It is just a soft cuddle for the soul.

7. What piece of orchestral music would you recommend to someone who has never heard an orchestra before, and why?

Rosenkavalier suite by Richard Strauss. I don’t think there’s anything I can say that would explain it better than just listening to it. It just has everything you probably didn’t know you needed. Every emotion is there, all the possible scenarios and a full range of what an orchestra can do. It will definitely be an emotional rollercoaster, and an incredible experience. Definitely worth giving it a shot!