London Philharmonic appoints three new violinists to join First Violin section

The London Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed three violinists to join its First Violin section. Minn Majoe [No .6], Kate Oswin [No. 4] and Lasma Taimina [No. 5] are all alumni of the LPO’s Foyle Future Firsts (FFF) Development Programme, the orchestra’s principal artist development programme. 

Majoe is currently a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s First Violin section, and first violinist of the Dulcinea Quartet. She also leads the contemporary chamber ensemble, Anima. She has performed in the Britten Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and Aurora Orchestra, and in contemporary repertoire with the London Sinfonietta, London Contemporary Orchestra and Lucerne Festival Academy, with whom she led a performance of Holliger’s Scardanelli Cycle, conducted by the composer. Solo highlights include performances of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy with the Arch Sinfonia, and Berio’s Sequenza VIII for solo violin alongside his Corale (su Sequenza VIII). 

She said: ‘[The LPO] is one of the orchestras I’ve listened to and followed since childhood and I’m glad all the hard work has paid off! Reflecting on my year as an LPO Foyle Future First, our unique performance projects with artists such as Magnus Lindberg and Andrew Manze combined with individual coaching from section leaders further broadened my musical point of view and it was a fantastic scheme to be a part of.’

New Zealander Oswin currently serves as sub-principal no. 5 first violin at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. She has worked with orchestras including the LPO, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, and New Zealand Symphony. She has also given chamber music recitals at Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Southbank Centre, the Fondazione Cini Venice, and has toured as an Encompass Artist with Chamber Music New Zealand. She gave the world premiere of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ final work ‘Movement for String Quartet’ at his Memorial Service at St John’s Smith Square.

Latvian violinist Taimina has performed with her string quartet in the UK and Spain, including at Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall. She also performs regularly with the BBC Symphony, LPO, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players and other orchestras in Europe. She regularly plays recitals with her piano duo (pianist Antonio Oyarzabal) and violin duo. She continues her studies in Accademia Perosi, Italy with Pavel Berman.

The  Foyle Future Firsts Development Programme, which is in its 15th year, offers 17 aspiring orchestral musicians each year the opportunity to develop their musicianship and core professional skills by rehearsing, studying and performing with LPO members.