In this new series, you’ll get to know OBS’s principal musicians. In the style of a Q&A, you’ll learn about their musical journeys so far, highlights with OBS, what they like to do in their free time, and more.
Next, we have oboist Frances Norbury.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey to date.
I started the oboe aged 8 and from 11 spent most of my time outside school doing lessons, classes and ensemble playing at the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust (now Berkshire Maestros), Reading Youth Orchestra and later the National Youth Orchestra.
I read Music at St John’s College, Cambridge, and took advantage of the very many opportunities to play in performances of Bach’s cantatas and big choral works, so that by the time I finished there and went to the RAM it seemed a natural progression to switch to the baroque oboe. I have specialised in that for more than 20 years since and been very lucky to work with many great players and singers and see a lot of the world doing so!
How long have you been performing with OBS and what has been a highlight?
I have been performing with OBS since its beginnings. I think it’s true to say of Bach that there aren’t really any low lights so every piece and every performance has something amazing to find. However, for me the performance in New York in May 2024, creatively combining Bach cantatas with traditional American spirituals, the Chinese sheng, street dance, and a photo exhibition produced a vividly memorable experience which somehow wove the sense of universality already present in Bach into an even bigger story about people and their place in the world.
What do you enjoy most about working with OBS?
I find Bach’s music endlessly interesting, and OBS provides opportunities to perform it with supportive, committed colleagues, in beautiful venues just a few miles from home… I also especially like the sense of integration between players and singers, and the chances that gives to learn always from how other instruments/voices/people approach the music.
What do you like to do when you’re not performing?
When I’m not performing I most like to be outside, for example walking with our golden retriever, growing things in our garden and on our allotment, paddle boarding and swimming in the Thames. In winter when it’s not so much the weather for that, I like making things, especially sewing.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention, talk about, plug, etc?
From 2019-2022 I studied Chinese medicine and acupuncture, obtaining my Licentiate in July 2022; I now have a practice in Cholsey. I find the ancient Chinese view of life and health to be very wise and very applicable now, in particular the conviction that a person’s body, mind and spirit are inseparably bound together and should be treated accordingly.
