One World Symphony = Our Artists = Catherine Bent

Birth Place: London, England

Education:Vassar College and The New School

1. Are any of your family members musicians? If so, what do they do?
Parents are both musicologists

2. What has been the highlight of your One World Symphony career to date?
Playing principal on Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring"

3. What would you say is your favourite piece of music?
All the pieces we played this season were well-chosen. I love Brahms. These days, I'm nuts about Faure. In general, I prefer to play music of high quality that's not well-known. But it's also a kick to play the classics.

4. What's your favorite moment with One World Symphony?
Violist James Coleman loudly tapping his foot to keep the violins on the off-beats in Brahms First Symphony performance.

...And the worst moment (if any)?
big number 104 in Sacre Thurs night in the bathtub church...

5. What music do you listen to in the car or subway?
Everything, pretty much. I'm partial to jazz (an unsatisfactorily broad term), certain songwriters, quirky trip-hoppy soulful grooves. Right now, i'm listening to Donald Byrd.

6. What is your favourite drink?
Water, closely followed by red wine

7. When you do have some free time, how do you relax?
I read The New Yorker (and many other things)

8. Why do you continue to perform with One World Symphony when you can perform with other ensembles that would offer more financial benefits?
It is hard to make financial sacrifices. However, i play a lot of chamber music for fun and when I have the time open to make music I'd rather play than not play. But the environment of One World Symphony, in which EVERYONE is there for the joy of music, is a special one. Would that all my professional experiences were that way. (It's not impossible to have the two, something to keep in mind when the grants start pouring in. . . .)

9. If you had the oppotunity to time travel, when and where would you prefer to live? Why?
New York, 20 years ago; I would have bought a corner brownstone on Manhattan Avenue for a dollar

10. If you weren't a musician what would you be?
an environmental scientist, an author, or a bike racer

11. Why would you recommend to other musicians and public to participate with One World Symphony?
see no.8

12. What are your hobbies?
road-cycling, traveling, writing, going out to hear music, playing chamber music, cooking and enjoying good food