Meet Diego Incertis Sánchez

Was there a particular experience that first made you want to play the horn?

I never chose it! My parents wanted me to learn music and they loved the horn. I was eight and had no real interest in it (both my parents played violin so I thought that’s all music was about). When they suggested I should start music school I planned to choose tuba so they would get fed up of carrying it around and would leave me alone! Lucky me, I enjoyed the horn straight away and never looked back.

How long have you been playing with the Philharmonia?

Five and a half years, since the end of 2017. I’ve been a member since February 2019.

What’s been the highlight of your time with the Orchestra so far?

Playing Mahler 9 in Tokyo in January 2019.

Nigel Black, our previous Principal Horn, was one of your teachers – what did you learn from him?

I was very lucky to meet Nigel in a masterclass whilst studying in Spain; he was definitely a great influence, then colleague. The best learning experience was sitting with him in the Orchestra and hearing him play. That teaches anyone more than anything.

Schumann’s Konzertstück is unusual in highlighting a whole section of the orchestra rather than a solo performer. What would you recommend as further listening?

The Konzertstück was composed in the middle of the 19th century, alongside the modern valve horn being introduced. Having four horns instead of one in a concerto with orchestra certainly helped him showcase the virtuosic features of this new instrument. Schumann also composed his Adagio and Allegro for horn and piano for the same purpose.

You grew up in Spain – what do you like best about living in London? What do you miss?

I absolutely love all the green and parks that some cities in Spain lack. I enjoy all the wonderful food from all corners of the world. But I miss shorter commuting distances and those extra few hours of sunlight in winter!

The Principal Horn Chair is endowed by John and Carol Wates in memory of Dennis Brain.