The viewfinder from Down Under

As well as leading the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti is a keen photographer. Although the orchestra can’t physically join us this year, he gives us a glimpse of life backstage at the Barbican through his photos, ahead of the ensemble’s virtual residency.

‘I’ve been taking photos on and off for about 15 years,’ says Tognetti. ‘It’s something you have to keep at so I try to take as many pictures as I can of the people around me.’ He laughs: ‘Usually annoying them in the process.’

‘I caught [Violinist] Ilya Isakovich as he sets up his music stand during our residency in 2017. He looks really pensive and intense because I’ve interrupted his private space just before a concert – it’s a time when we musicians prepare physically and mentally.’

‘There’s something unique about this picture of [Principal Violin] Satu Vänskä with her desk partner. The relationship between them looks so close even though they’d never met before. Desk partners – especially violinists – often find themselves sparring; we’re not like the double basses which are more like walruses meeting [laughs]. But in this photo there’s a real sense of camaraderie – they look really concentrated and in the moment together. I also like the porcelain quality of the light, and that the colours of Satu’s Stradivarius violin goes with her hair.’

‘Satu [who is also Tognetti’s wife] does a lot of yoga. Here she’s at [Managing Director of renowned violin dealer J&A Beare] Simon Morris’s apartment – he’s a great friend of ours. I remember I was really pissing her off by saying “stay still for one moment longer” – and then I got the shot. Satu usually starts her day doing yoga. Increasingly as musicians we’re learning to become more in tune with our physical wellbeing. It’s really important, especially playing the violin – you have to be really aware of your body.’

‘Being from sunny Australia, I love this picture of the Sculpture Court. When we come to London in October, it’s usually 11C and raining. In this shot, I really like the mix of Brutalist architecture and on the right you have the palm trees.’

‘I took this last year – I’d been walking around the area with [composer and Radiohead guitarist] Jonny Greenwood before heading to the concert pre-rehearsal. We’d been remarking how this part of London has such a rich history – you find all these nooks and corners, and the cityscape is all jumbled on top of itself, as you can see in the reflection. And of course, this is Milton Court concert hall.’