Maren Reck

Place of birth: Iowa City, Iowa, USA

What year did you begin to play your instrument, and why that specific instrument? I started playing the piano at the age of 6 and double bass at 8.  I was a pretty tall kid and my father, who is a violin maker and dealer of stringed instruments, had a small 1/8th size double bass in his shop.  My older sister and father play cello and my mom plays the oboe, so I guess they thought the bass would suit me.  I also liked sitting in the back of the orchestra.

When did you begin to work in MSO? 2007

What does your educational background look like? I have a Bachelors in Music performance from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a Masters in Music performance from University of Southern California in Los Angeles.  

What is you favourite moment from your time in the MSO? Winning my job. My husband, also an MSO bass player, and I won our jobs at the same audition in 2007, and that was pretty amazing.  Also our residency in Switzerland a few years ago was pretty special.  Travelling with an orchestra always brings us closer together.

In what other orchestras/ensembles or other contexts have you worked? In the US I played with Houston Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, and Santa Barbara Symphony.  In the summers I attended Aspen Music Festival in Colorado and Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara California.  I have also worked with the Verbier Festival and Chamber Orchestra, touring Asia in 2010, touring Europe with Joshua Bell in 2016 and as the resident orchestra at Schloss Elmau, Germany, in 2019.  

Who is you favourite composer? Gustav Mahler

What do you prefer to do in your spare time? I love to bake, do yoga, plan vacations, read and spend time with my 2 daughters.  

What is you tip on activity in Malmö? Möllevången market and surrounding specialty stores (Möllans ost, Kina Livs, Tehran supermarket, etc.) on the weekends.  Also Saluhall, all day everyday

What is your favourite food? Papi's at Saluhallen

Why should everyone go and listen to symphonic music? Because we are what we consume.  I believe classical music makes us better, smarter people.