Eduardo Vassallo joined the CBSO as Section Leader Cello in 1989 under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. This month, we are saying goodbye to him after an incredible 36 years.

If you've ever been to see the CBSO perform live, there's no doubt you will have seen Eduardo sitting at the front of the cellos, leading the section. For so many audience members he has been a familiar face, whether that be in Birmingham or in a concert hall across the world.

We sat down with Eduardo to look back at some photos from throughout these special years of music-making to reminisce over some of his favourite memories with the orchestra.

One of Eduardo's earliest memories is with Ulrich Heinen - they shared the position of Section Leader Cello when he began in the orchestra. Eduardo says he learnt a great deal from Ulrich and that he was always the most supportive player and a great person to have around.

Eduardo has also worked with many different conductors over the years. He was with us for Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla's first concert, who shared a great love for Weinberg's music and remarks how the orchestra explored much of his music during her years as Principal Conductor.

He also speaks of past Principal Guest Conductor, Ed Gardner, and the many recordings they did with him: Mendelssohn symphonies, Schubert symphonies and overtures. It was a great collaboration and Eduardo enjoyed having him around.

Another memorable recording and performance was Britten's War Requiem at Coventry Cathedral, conducted by Andris Nelsons. We filmed a DVD with Andris of the performance and took the piece to Dresden, Germany. Eduardo recalls that it was such an impressive gig, the German audience had the most amazing reaction and it was a very moving performance.

Touring with the CBSO has brought Eduardo some of his most favourite memories to look back on, offering him the chance to play on stages across the world and experience so many different cultures and traditions.

Eduardo found some photos from their very first tour to Japan with Sakari Oramo, showing some of our current and past players looking a lot younger! Can you spot any familiar faces?

Eduardo has done a lot of sightseeing across all the different tours and made connections with people from all over the world. During the last tour in America, he went to a jazz bar in New York with Chris Yates and Julian Atkinson. Joe Lavano, an incredible saxophonist, was playing that night and they went to speak to him and mentioned that he worked with the CBSO when we recorded Duke Ellington with Sir Simon Rattle.

Another favourable connection Eduardo made on tour was with Thomas, a freelancer who would help the orchestra get to where they needed to be. He would always greet the orchestra at the airport with an incredible homemade sign which Eduardo recalls as always bringing so much joy, as well as helping the orchestra keep sight of him in super busy airports, like the photo above taken in China.

Tours were also a chance for the orchestra to socialise and bond as a group. During the tours, each section has its own social night. When the CBSO were in San Francisco, the cellos had their social evening joined by Sheku Kanneh Mason, who was the guest soloist on tour at the time. Eduardo also remarks how special that particular evening and tour was, as the section included two of his past pupils: Joss Brookes and Jonathan Pether.

Tour life couldn't keep Eduardo away from one of his other true loves though: football! Above you'll find a typical snapshot of Tutti Cello Miguel and Eduardo. Often you may find them keeping up-to-date with the football, especially on tour. This particular photo was taken on stage in Japan.