Here at Liverpool Philharmonic, we’re proud to be so deeply rooted in our community, and that our Orchestra represents that community around the world. A huge factor in both those achievements is Ken Grundy, the Executive Director of Maestro! Touring.

For more than three decades, Ken has not only provided the (literal) roadmap for how to deliver the Orchestra to performances all around the globe, but he’s also supported Liverpool Philharmonic’s work much closer to home. “It’s been a great privilege to be involved in the Orchestra,” he says. “I’ve had the most glorious job because it really does combine my two passions – travel and music.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
So how did it all start? “I’ve been a travel person since I was nine years old – from getting on my first aeroplane in 1968, I was hooked and I knew that I wanted to be involved in flying.” Fast forward through 15 years of working in corporate travel, and a chance meeting in 1989 with the then Chair of Liverpool Philharmonic led to Ken taking the reins in planning the Orchestra’s 1992 US tour. “It was a very interesting immersion into this world, and it’s never stopped since really.” In 1994, he formed Maestro! Touring – a company that works on the logistics of getting artists and instruments around the globe, and also helps music fans to follow along with them.

With over 70 musicians, transporting a symphony orchestra is quite the challenge. Add instruments and visas and customs clearance into the mix, and it really becomes no mean feat. However, it’s something that’s second nature to Ken. Since the early 90s, he’s been criss-crossing the world with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – “we’ve been to Europe many, many times, North America several times and Asia twice at least…we’re back in Japan next May which is really exciting.” Touring the globe might sound glamorous, but he insists it’s anything but. “The Orchestra have to do a lot of long hours, with late nights and very early mornings, but I think it’s something musicians love to do – to get out there and experience new halls and venues.” And does he get to catch the odd Orchestra concert on the road? “My work is mostly done the day before travel, which is normally the day of the concert, so I can either end up working with cargo people or at the airport the night before dealing with stuff – but I don’t think I’ve been on a tour where I haven’t got to hear the concert at least once.”

One touring experience that stands out to Ken to this day took place on 12 May 1993 – the opening day of the Prague Spring Festival. “It was very soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall…and Libor [Pešek] took Liverpool to Prague.” That day, the Orchestra became the first ever non-Czech ensemble to open the iconic festival, and “it was really a marvellous experience.”

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra opening 1993's Prague Spring Festival

He’s there alongside virtuosos and maestros during these incredible musical milestones, but a huge part of Ken’s work is enabling others to share in them too. “We started this series of tours for supporters of the Orchestra right back with the first 1992 tour to the US with Libor, and that’s continued ever since.” Helping those who may not feel confident enough to travel alone, he’s taken groups to see the Orchestra and our conductors around the world, and this often brings about a few exclusive VIP perks – “Andrew [Manze] very kindly came and met with everybody, as Vasily has always done and Domingo has. I think it gives people a really special feeling of belonging to the whole organisation.” One particular supporter event – a visit to the bell foundry in Asten, Netherlands along with percussionist Graham Johns – brought about another of Ken’s favourite Philharmonic memories. “It was just an amazing experience… the sheer, almost Wagnerian feeling of this molten metal being poured by hand into these bells. That was really special.”  

Meanwhile, back in Merseyside, Ken’s support of Liverpool Philharmonic continues. A huge advocate for children’s music education, he’s passionate about In Harmony – “I think what the programme does is simply amazing, so I’m very pleased to back that.” Maestro! were part of Domingo’s latest CD launch, they supported one of the Forever Bells in their 25^th anniversary year, and of course they serve as sponsor for our Lunchtime Concerts series. Phew!

The Maestro! Touring bell (right)

And it’s a genuine admiration for Liverpool Philharmonic and the city that’s prompted all these years of generous support. “Coming from Liverpool, supporting this organisation is particularly important. The enthusiasm of the team has always been fantastic. And musically, hearing Libor…then Vasily in the run up to City of Culture, then now with Domingo’s tenure, I think it’s very exciting times ahead and to look back on.”

So, throughout a 30-year relationship with the Orchestra, how many concerts has Ken experienced? “I think 500 performances at least.” Then, of course, comes the inevitable question about favourites… “The In Harmony 10^th birthday concert was really, really great…and Simon Trpčeski performing Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with Vasily in 2017. That was a really fantastic performance.”

In Harmony's 10th Birthday Concert

Looking ahead, it’s our Artists in Residence he’s excited to see next season. “I think Simone Lamsma is an astonishingly talented artist. And also Johan Dalene…to hear him now as a mature violinist is going to be really exciting.” And there’s another violinist on Ken’s 23/24 season bucket list – “Christian Li…I’m very exited that he’s going to be in Liverpool as I took a group to Geneva for the Menuhin Competition in 2018 when Christian became the youngest ever winner! Anything involving young musicians is really fantastic, because we desperately need it.”