Born in Perth, Brendan Parravicini began studying the violin and piano before taking up the horn at the musically selective Perth Modern School, where he graduated as ‘top instrumentalist’. Brendan then studied with Geoff Collinson at the University of Melbourne on a full scholarship, before moving to Sydney, where he studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Sydney Symphony Principal, Ben Jacks.
In 2011, Brendan attended the Norddeutsche Horntage Festival, where he studied with Christian Lampert, Markus Maskunitty and Marcel Sobol. He has also participated in masterclasses with eminent horn players such as Barry Tuckwell, Sarah Willis and William VerMeulen.
Brendan has a wide range of orchestral experience, performing regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, with whom he completed a 12 month fellowship in 2013. Brendan has also performed with the Melbourne and Tasmanian symphony orchestras; as Principal Horn with West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra; the Australian Youth Orchestra and both nationally and internationally with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Most recently, in 2014 Brendan completed a contract as Principal 3rd Horn with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
What do you love about classical music?
I love the sheer diversity of classical music and its power to uplift and inspire around the globe as a truly international language. It always amazes me the way in which life can be breathed into music written on a page perhaps centuries ago, so it can be enjoyed for centuries to come.
What’s on your playlist right now?
Jordi Savall with L’Orchestre de Louis XV, Rameau Les Boréades; Nikolaus Harnoncourt with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Mendelssohn Symphonies 3 & 4; Iggy Azalea Fancy.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to have dinner with?
Brahms – to thank him for his incredible music
Dennis Brain – to talk horn
Heston Blumenthal – to cook