David Way, viola lead

David Way had early professional success while still a student at the Guildhall School of Music, as a violinist with his quartet at Chipping Norton and Cambridge Festivals, also freelancing with the Hallé Orchestra. After graduating, he joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in the first violins. He later moved to Norway where he was alternating Principal Second Violin in Stavanger and then in Trondheim. He has also worked with the Bergen Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Radio, and Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He first played the viola on a freelance basis with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra’s viola section. He joined the Ealing Symphony Orchestra as principal viola in 2018. He has played as soloist with the ESO in Alwyn’s Pastoral Fantasia (live streamed in 2021) and in Berlioz’s Harold in Italy (opening concert of the 2023–2024 Season). Other recent orchestral activity has included working with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra as principal viola and as co-principal second violin. He has collaborated with members of the ESO in chamber music concerts.

Early memories of playing the Bach Double Concerto and hearing a live broadcast of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante were key inspirations. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music, initially as a Junior Exhibitioner, and began his studies with Detlef Hahn. He played in the National Youth Orchestra and led the Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra, also performing the Tchaikovsky Concerto with them. He is a dedicated teacher to his own students.