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Catherine Marwood
Viola (Section Leader)
Adopted by John Hawley & Isobel Smith
Catherine Marwood won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 17 where she studied with Sidney Griller and Stephen Shingles. The first few years of her professional career were spent in the competition winning Fairfield Quartet with whom she toured extensively in the UK and Europe and recorded a widely acclaimed disc.
Catherine then moved to Scotland to take up the position of Principal Viola in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and then as violist in the Scottish Ensemble whose busy schedule included many visits to the Wigmore Hall and a recording under the prestigious Wigmore live label. She frequently appeared as soloist with the SCO and premiered Sir Peter Maxwell Davies Strathclyde Concerto No.5 as well as partnering visiting soloists such as Yuri Bashmet, Stephen Isserlis, John Harle, Peter Donahoe, Jamie Laredo, Lawrence Power, Brett Dean and Ernst Kovacic.
As a member of the Marwood family Catherine played with her brothers and sister in the Marwood Ensemble, winning several awards and recording under the Hyperion label including a widely admired disc of the music of Jean Francaix. Catherine is also a member of the Hebrides Ensemble and has appeared many times in the Edinburgh International Festival, the Aldeburgh Festival, and in 2022 were the first group to broadcast a Prom chamber music concert outside London. The group has also released many highly acclaimed recordings.
Catherine is now Principal Viola in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and much in demand as guest principal in orchestras and chamber groups around the country. She has worked with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ulster Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, English Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. She taught at St Mary’s Music School and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is an examiner for the ABRSM. She was awarded an FTCL, LRAM and also an ARAM for her distinguished work in the profession.
Fun Fact:
Catherine lives in Scotland and is a keen All Blacks and Scottish rugby supporter. She loves walking, knitting and travelling and also spending time with her family and friends especially her amazing grandchildren.
What is the best thing about being a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra?
It has been really exciting discovering symphonic repertoire, which is mostly new to me - I think it's wonderful. I've enjoyed working with great conductors, and great musicians - people that make you think about things in a different way. I love the camaraderie of an orchestra. There's a feeling when going out to perform that it's somehow a bit dangerous - in an orchestra you live together, triumph together and fail together, and there's a humour that goes along with that.
Who is your biggest musical inspiration and why?
My first major musical influence was my piano teacher. He was a very fine musician and influenced a lot of people where I was growing up - I think we would probably all say that he was a great influence on all our lives. As a student at the Royal Academy of Music, Cecil Aronowitz and Manny Hurwitz were people who really inspired and encouraged me, and gave me belief that I could really succeed as a professional viola player.
What is your most memorable moment with the Orchestra so far?
Receiving a standing ovation for a Mahler Symphony with Petrenko. That was the first time that had ever happened in my whole career and I thought it was absolutely fantastic!
Outside of music what are your passions and interests?
On my days off I love having friends over for a nice, long, lazy lunch, then maybe going for a walk in the afternoon. I love sport and I watch a lot of rugby which might surprise some people!
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