why is alison balsom retiring

Alison Balsom is retiring primarily due to the intense demands and pressures of being a touring soloist, the limited repertoire available for the trumpet, and her desire to spend more time with her family. She described the life of a trumpet soloist as grueling, comparing it to being a professional tennis player who must keep in peak condition and constantly tour. After a 24-year career, she feels she has expressed all she wants musically through the trumpet and is ready to close this chapter of her life. Her final public performance will be at the Last Night of the Proms 2025, where she will play Hummel's Trumpet Concerto, a piece she feels is a perfect farewell. Additionally, motherhood and the challenges of balancing touring with family life have significantly influenced her decision to retire.