Principal Bassist of Symphony Nova Scotia since 1986, Max Kasper has gained quite a following for the public education concerts and lectures he has organized and hosted at the Halifax Public Library since 1990. As well as occasionally hosting Symphony school concerts and narrating Peter and the Wolf too many times to count, he has acted as emcee for many events in the community over the years and was one of the hosts for the Symphony‘s Musically Speaking concerts. Of course, his first passion is the double bass, which he began playing in the Toronto public school system at the age of ten. The rest just seemed to fall into place.

Max has appeared as a soloist with the orchestra on several occasions, as well as performing in many solo recitals over the years. He also loves playing chamber music and as well as playing in the KLM trio, he is part of the Gatto Dolce Duo with cellist Colin Matthews. They released a CD Duets for Cello and Bass in 2008. They are slowly recording their next CD, Bad Boy Composers.  Max has a keen interest in Period music; he was a member of Rejouissance, and the Tempest Baroque Ensemble in Halifax, and is an extra player with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto.

Now pursuing a second career as a bow maker, Max has the unique distinction of playing on a bass and bows he has made himself. He lives in Bedford with his love, Esther Ricketts, and their two cats Rowdy and Pippa. In his spare time, he likes to watch TV, read, and make things.

He has been on the faculty of Dalhousie University and has been a guest artist at the Scotia Festival of Music many times. Max has been a musician representative on the Symphony’s Board of Directors, and was the Chairman of the Symphony Nova Scotia Players’ Association for many years.

 

Q&A with Max

How long have you played the bass?
I’ve played it since age ten.

Why did you start playing the bass?
I began playing it because I thought it was cool! (Hey, I was ten!)

If you couldn’t be a musician, what would you like to do?
Well, I like to think that I will always be a musician, even if I am not playing music. But If I could not play then I’d like to either be a bow-maker, or an electrician. I quite like that sort of thing.

What kinds of music do you enjoy listening to?
I rarely listen to classical music. It was a conscious decision of mine as a student. I figured that I’d be playing these pieces for the rest of my life, so to keep things fresh for me I left them alone. I like singer/songwriter stuff: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Sting, etc. I also like African music; particularly Salief Kieta as well as music from Zimbabwe. As with any musician, the problem is trying to keep the music collection from taking over the house. Every so often I have to “cull” the CDs, just to make room for new ones!

What’s your favourite food?
Chocolate and pizza (not necessarily together). 

What’s the best thing that ever happened to you?
Esther Ricketts!

What people have been the greatest influence on you?
My parents are first on that list; but as a musician it would have to be my first private teacher: Boris Kersting. He really had a wonderful attitude toward music and life in general. It is because of him that I am a professional musician today, and because of him that I still enjoy it so much.

Symphony 101 with Max

In this episode of Symphony 101, Max explains how string instruments make their sound using a cigar box!

Max’s “Happy” Playlist

Recently, Max shared with us some of the non-classical music he likes to listen to to cheer himself up or to keep the good feelings going! Listen on Spotify, and click here to read more about why he likes each song.