Richard Betts speaks with Associate Principal Viola Julie Park.
Julie Park has only ever had one orchestral audition. She aced it, of course, which is how Auckland Philharmonia’s Associate Principal Viola became Auckland Philharmonia’s Associate Principal Viola.
Julie’s connection with the orchestra goes back to her school days.
“I grew up watching Auckland Phil, especially [Section Principal Viola] Robert Ashworth. In high school I did internships and competed in all the Auckland Philharmonia young soloist programmes.”
Julie didn’t just compete; she was crowned Auckland Philharmonia’s Young Soloist of the Year, an honour that saw her performing Cecil Forsyth’s Viola Concerto in G minor with the orchestra at Auckland Town Hall.
The award was all the more impressive for the fact that Julie came to viola relatively late. She began her musical life playing violin, spurred on by an inspirational music teacher at her primary school. She didn’t fall for viola until high school.
“I loved playing but I didn’t feel a big connection to the violin,” she says. “I was encouraged to try the viola and it really connected. Having played the violin for a long time, I felt the viola had more grit, a bass-y depth, and I enjoyed being able to produce that sound. In terms of personality, too, I was quite shy, so I didn’t want to always be in the spotlight; having the role of supporting and blending clicked with me.”
Julie will have nowhere to hide in October, when she leads colleagues in Viva Viola!, a pair of In Your Neighbourhood concerts featuring music by Beethoven, Dohnányi and Bowen.
“The Beethoven is a lovely, short duet for viola and cello, which is a rare combination. I’ve always loved playing the Dohnányi Serenade; it’s feisty. It’s written in a lovely register and showcases the mellow sound a viola can produce. The Bowen speaks for itself: Fantasia for Four Violas.”
York Bowen (1884-1961) is a composer dear to Julie’s heart. Following a Bachelor’s degree in Auckland, she did her postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music, London, where she played plenty of English repertoire. Bowen became a staple.
“He was an amazing composer who wrote a lot of music for Lionel Tertis, who’s often called the ‘father of the viola’,” Julie explains. “I wish more people knew about Bowen.”
It’s not for want of effort. At RAM, Julie became the first violist ever to be invited to study for an Advanced Diploma and was awarded a full-ride Bicentennial Scholarship. Part of the scholarship was a recording contract with Linn Records - a company famed for its extravagantly priced hi-fi gear and the exceptional audio quality of its CDs. Unsurprisingly, Julie recorded a disc of Bowen. Julie describes her years at RAM as some of the best of her life.
“It was eye-opening to be surrounded by so many good musicians. We’d learn off each other, watch performances, try to explore as much as we could. I learnt so much from my teachers but also my friends.”
Julie’s final year was curtailed by the pandemic, and while she was in a UK lockdown, Auckland Philharmonia got in touch about a temporary contract. The timing was right.
“[In lockdown] I realised playing solo wasn’t for me,” Julie says. “I loved collaborating.”
So Julie had her one and only orchestral audition.
“The day I landed in New Zealand for MIQ, I got an email saying I got the job. I made the right choice coming back; working with the orchestra has literally been the best thing ever.”
In Your Neighbourhood
Viva Viola!
6.30pm, Monday 7 October
St Luke's Church, Remuera
6.30pm, Tursday 8 October
All Saints Church, Howick
Featuring Julie Park, Associate Principal Viola
Beethoven Duet with Two Obligato Eyeglasses
Dohnányi Serenade
Bowen Fantasia for Four Violas