Meet Oboist Polly Bartlett
Discover how one of Firebird’s orchestral team Polly Bartlett started her career in music and why her favourite piece of music is fiery!
1. When did you realise your future could be as a musician?
I started learning the oboe aged 7. Over the next few years, I joined various school music groups and took a few exams. Aged 10, I successfully auditioned for the National Children’s Orchestra and fell in love with orchestral playing on my first course. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to build a career in music.
2. Tell us about one of your career highlights to date…
Without a doubt, that was a tour to Germany with the London Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Francois Xavier-Roth. Performing works such as Till Eulenspiegel by Richard Strauss in various concert halls around Germany such as Elbphilharmonie Hamburg was a week of my life that I will never forget and a memory I always go back to if I’m ever feeling sad.
3. How long have you been involved with Firebird and what has been the benefit for you?
I’ve been involved with Firebird since September 2022, and have rarely missed a concert since. It is an incredible opportunity to perform core orchestral repertoire under the baton of esteemed conductors, helping us hugely as early-career musicians.
For me, one benefit that stands out more than anything else: playing with an incredible woodwind section. This wonderful group of musicians has given us the opportunity to really bond as a section, learn about each others strengths and weaknesses and work out a way to perform to the highest standard. As a woodwind player, this is a dream and something for which I am extremely grateful to Firebird.
4. What are your future musical projects and ambitions?
I’m very lucky to have a varied freelance career, combining performances with a whole mix of orchestras and ensembles with some private and small group teaching. A future ambition is definitely to try and land a full time job in one of the UK orchestras; however these are extremely hard to come by! On average, one to two full time jobs come up for oboists a year, with an average of 150 people applying for each position. Nevertheless, I am extremely happy with my current career path and I will continue to develop as a well-rounded freelance musician.
5. What is your current favourite piece of music and why?
This may come as a surprise, but my current favourite piece of music is the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ soundtrack. I recently watched the film for the first time and got completely taken in by the music, mesmerised by the effect it was having on me. I now understand what all the fuss is about!
6. What do you enjoy doing away from your musical commitments?
My big hobby alongside music is football. I’m an avid Chelsea FC fan (apologies if I offend anyone with this!), following their matches every week and catching up on Match of the Day if I miss them. I also watch any England match whenever they come along, hoping that one day, it really is ‘coming home’!
Coming up soon…
SJE Arts Oxford with Yury Revich
Sunday 9 March 2025, 6pm
St John the Evangelist Church, 109A Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1EH
Mozart Overture to Die Zauberflöte, K. 620
Bruch Violin Concerto no. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Beethoven Symphony no. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
London Firebird Orchestra
Yury Revich Violin
Michael Thrift Principal Guest Conductor
This concert is generously sponsored by the Morris-Venables Charitable Foundation
Vivaldi with Yury Revich
Tuesday 29 April 2025, 7.30pm
St George’s Hanover Square, 2A Mill Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1FX
Vivaldi Le Quattro Staggioni
Piazzola Estaciones Porteñas
London Firebird Orchestra
Yury Revich Violin
Michael Thrift Principal Guest Conductor
