St. Louis Symphony Orchestra flutist Mark Sparks enjoys far-flung interests

Mark Sparks loves the flute sound and the poetic meaning to many pieces of music. He picked up the flute at age 8 and is now the solo flutist for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He released his second solo CD, "fantasie," in 2010 and will entertain an intimate audience at the next Sundays at 3 concert. Sparks said he likes artists, yoga and Radiohead.

Sparks will be joined by Peter Henderson on piano and Valentina Takova on cello. The concert will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Shuck Recital Hall. Tickets are $15. Call 651-2265.

What drew you to the instrument? My parents insisted I play piano for a couple years, then gave me a choice about continuing on another instrument. I don't know why I chose the flute, but I also took snare drum lessons. For quite a while, I liked the drums better than flute.

What else do you play now? I just discovered Native American flute, and I am learning to play it.

What's been the best part of being a professional classical musician? Trying every day to do something very well that is both difficult and meaningful to me and apparently to some others. I also very much enjoy the lifestyle.

Tell us about your new CD. The CD simply represents another marker in the stages of my quest to refine my art. Of course I enjoy the particular repertoire, but the playing on the CD is about flute sound and my attempt, along with the pianist, to express something poetic beyond the notes.

You must have amazing stamina to play some of the things you do. Do you work out? I am thankful every day for the gift of my health. I have always liked the physical challenges of sports. I raced mountain bikes in my 30s, and in high school I loved football. I still try to work out often, and I love to do Bikram yoga and meditation these days. A certain amount of large muscle support strength is necessary to play the flute well, and certainly good posture and well-developed lung capacity, but beyond that it is about small-muscle strength and coordination, balance and open energy flow physiologically.

Who do you look up to musically? Artists, too many to write down, some of whom include my colleagues in the St. Louis Symphony. I try to learn from everyone. I admire any artist in any style or medium who can communicate clearly the emotional path to spirituality.

What's your favorite nonclassical or mainstream band? These days I am quite fascinated with Radiohead. Their songs have incredible imagery and creativity. I also like Sting, Jimi Hendrix, Tracy Chapman and many others.