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Questions
How do you feel the place you grew up influenced you?
I had a very international childhood: I was born in Melbourne, Australia, moved to Hong Kong when I was 6 and then back to Melbourne again when I was 14. As an adult I moved to Germany, where I now live.
I think moving around as a child made me a nomad at heart. One of my favourite things about being in Europe is the opportunity to travel. Playing with different orchestras in different countries from one week to the next is a very special privilege; and even more so when you get to perform in some of the world’s great concert halls.
What is special about playing in Camerata Bern?
Since the first project I played with the Camerata back in 2016, Bern has become a second (or third…okay maybe fourth!) home to me.
Apart from being an exceptionally friendly and welcoming orchestra, the ensemble has a very special musical flexibility which I have rarely experienced. There are not many ensembles that feel equally comfortable playing on baroque instruments with gut strings as they do playing symphonic concerts with winds, modern atonal works or even singing, clapping or acting!
This variety is one of the most special things about playing with the Camerata, because regardless of what we are performing or who is directing, every member of the orchestra comes with an open mind and a desire to wholeheartedly contribute so that we can put on great concerts for our wonderful Bern audience.
Oh… and swims in the Aaare between rehearsals!!
What are your interests outside of music?
I am a keen scuba diver, and I always try to find an opportunity to go diving when I am on tour in an interesting destination. My most memorable experience so far was diving in a lake in Iceland where the Europe and American tectonic plates meet, in crystal clear but absolutely freezing (1C) water.
I also enjoy poker and competed at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in 2008 (I didn’t win unfortunately…)
Finally, I can’t forget my culinary loves… great food, wine and whisky!
Is there something that people would be surprised to find out about you?
Yes.
About Michael Brooks Reid
Australian violinist Michael Brooks Reid performs regularly with leading orchestras across Europe, Asia and Australia, and he is the newest member of the Camerata Bern.
As guest Concertmaster, Michael has performed with the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Kammerakademie Potsdam, Aurora Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of Asturias and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
He also performs with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia of London, Orchestra Mozart and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra.
Michael is first violinist of Hong Kong’s Logos Quartet and Concertmaster of the orchestra of the Hong Kong International Piano Competition. He is also a member of the Australian World Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and, from 2021, the Camerata Bern.
Apart from violin, Michael studied conducting and was taught by Christopher Seaman, Sebastian Lang-Lessing and the late John Hopkins OBE, conducting the Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.
From 2004-2008 Michael was Leader and Artistic Director of the Australian Classical Players, combining his passions for conducting and violin playing by programming and directing the concert season from the 1st violins.
Michael plays a violin by Nicolo Gagliano, made in Naples in 1751.