Player Portrait

Timothy Scott

Cello

First season with the Oregon Symphony:

1973-1974

Most influential teacher(s):

Maurice Eisenberg, at Juilliard, because he imparted high standards and the love of music. In Seattle, Eva Heinetz shared her refined musical tastes and strong ideas.

Earliest musical memory:

When I was 5 or 6, our family spent a couple of weeks on a farm for vacation. I spent so much time on the old player piano in the basement that the hosts gave it to our family at the end of our stay. I took piano lessons at age 6 but was more enthusiastic than talented.

"I first knew I would make music my career when ... "

I just seemed to know it by the time I was 7 or 8, and when I started cello lessons at age 10, it seemed very clear.

"Other than performing music, I've always thought it might be fun to be a ... "

Journalist or fiction writer or scientist/naturalist or linguist.

Favorite composer and/or period?

Marin Marais (French Baroque, 1650-1750) or Mozart. I’m interested in learning about the times through learning about the music and I appreciate the quieter sensibilities of earlier times versus the more angst-ridden modern times.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

It provides a goal to work toward and encourages practice.

Other than playing great music, what do you see as the Symphony's most important role?

Trying to expose as many people of all ages to a great variety of classical music — and hope that some will like it!

What is your favorite part of being a member of the Oregon Symphony?

All the work of producing the concert is done for me — all I have to do is play, which is what I love doing!

Biography Player Portrait