Nikita Naumov entered professional orchestral life in Kazakhstan at 14, before continuing his musical journey through St. Petersburg and London. Now Principal Double Bass of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, he is one of the field’s rising figures.
Artist Playbook caught up with Naumov to explore the ideas shaping his musical life.
“A musician’s identity is shaped not only by where they begin, but by every place that teaches them to listen differently.”
What did joining a professional orchestra at age 14 teach you?
Great music is always created together. Joining a professional orchestra so young taught me that musicianship depends not only on individual ability, but on listening, discipline, and responsibility to those around you.
How did moving between different musical cultures reshape your identity?
Each place taught me to hear differently. Kazakhstan, St. Petersburg, London, and Scotland each brought a distinct musical language, shaping how I balance tradition with curiosity and continue searching for my own voice.
What changes when a bassist moves from a chamber orchestra to a symphony orchestra?
The scale changes. The responsibility does not. Whether in a chamber ensemble or a full symphony orchestra, the bass provides the foundation. Trust between colleagues is what allows the music to move.
What makes a piece reveal something genuinely new about the double bass?
The most exciting music changes the listener’s expectations. I’m drawn to works that reveal the double bass as an expressive voice, rather than simply the lowest instrument in the orchestra.
What do you still want audiences to discover about the double bass?
The double bass has an extraordinary singing voice. Its solo repertoire is richer than many audiences realize. The goal is for listeners to leave hearing the instrument in an entirely new way.
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