Blair Harris has had a lifelong fascination with music – and a strong desire to share it with others — which is why he divides most of his time between being Principal Cellist with Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and teaching cello at Monash University.
Since his first forays into music, Blair has specialised in chamber music. “Even at high school, I always had an interest in the bespoke nature of chamber music,” he says.
“I have played in very large ensembles,” he continues, “but over time I learned that it’s not where my passion lies. I’ve always wanted to follow my passions, and what has drawn me to music the most, has always been chamber music. So, I’ve carved my career out in chamber music.”
Shortly after Sophie Rowell became MCO’s Artistic Director, she approached Blair to join the ‘regular roster’ of players and he, “enthusiastically said yes, I would love to do that,” as he’d enjoyed performing with Sophie on many previous occasions.
Blair continues to regularly perform outside MCO, in settings that showcase his love for chamber music. “I’m bit of a lone wolf,” he admits with a hearty chuckle, “as well as presenting some of my own concerts – chamber music, solo recitals – I’m also a part of Sydney group, Ensemble Offspring. I kind of see myself, I guess, as a portfolio artist!”
It’s the breadth of musical styles within the chamber repertoire that excites Blair, be it newly commissioned works or symphony orchestra pieces that have been ‘distilled’ to suit the chamber orchestra. He also relishes the potential for personal interpretation by each musician when performing since the groups are small enough to play without a conductor. All of which is exemplified in MCO’s diverse and dynamic programming.
The smaller chamber music group sizes are also easier to tour with (logistically speaking) and MCO’s extensive touring schedule also aligns with Blair’s belief that classical music belongs everywhere, not just in Melbourne’s CBD.
“MCO has the ability to reach every aspect of Victorian culture,” he says. “We can play at the Melbourne Recital Centre and then you’ll find us playing string quartet concerts at Yackandandah, which is out near the Great Dividing Range. Or we’re down in Sale, or in Mallacoota, where we’ve done compositional workshops with regional composers – I love all that! The variation we can have, not just in the music we present, but in the communities that we can meet and keep in touch with is what I find endlessly exciting.”
So, wherever you are, you can be sure to find Blair onstage with a cello in his hands and a cheeky grin on his face.
By Liam Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier