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How did your journey to becoming a professional musician start?
I was given music lessons as a child, for no particular reason - we learned English, maths, history, French, science, and we learned music. It was nothing more than just a good thing for a child to learn.
What made you choose to become a professional musician?
It was so potent a desire that I never thought about doing anything else. I could say something like 'it was my calling', or 'if I hadn't I would have been a shadow of my former self', or something along those lines - and all those would be true in a way - but at the end of the day I think you'd need a much bigger reason why you would NOT do something which you are completely obsessed with, has transformed your whole existence, took over your whole life with rapture, and has the potential to bring joy to everyone you share it with. If I put it like that hopefully you can see it wasn't really something I chose.
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Who were the most influential people in your development as a musician?
My teachers - in particular Geoff Cummings-Knight, Malcolm Singer, Joan Havill, Michael Friedmann, Ezra Laderman, Joan Tower and Joan Panetti. A very high proportion of Joans for some reason... Also my father (not called Joan), who demonstrated that being the most powerful intellect in your field and working with 'lay' persons are not mutually exclusive.
What is your favourite part of performing? Some artists say it’s the preparation leading up to a performance or the rush during the performance. What’s yours?
If I am really honest I find myself feeling very self-indulgent trying to answer this question. Performing, making music, teaching, composing, everything, its all music making and musical creativity, which is the point. I try to practice so that the performance is a natural part of the preparation, not a culmination. I feel more motivated to practice and work on new ideas after a good performance - its the beginning of something, not the end.
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In a concert setting, what is your definition of success?
That you said what you believed.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
I don't really remember the actual playing of concerts. Nor do I remember writing music, funnily enough. I think if you are aware of where you are and what you are doing you are almost certainly going to monumentally cock up the next bar.
Which composer's work do you feel you perform best and why?
I think you had better be the judge of that. I only play music which I think I can play well - 20th century and contemporary music, and the Germanic Classical and Romantic repertoire (Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms) - so if you hear me play a piece which you don't think I have played well or contributed something towards the understanding of, I would be grateful if you could let me know.
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The inevitable deserted island question… You’re on a deserted island with your instrument and you can only have 5 pieces of music. What are they?
Like in 'High Fidelity' - brilliant. Problem is they change all the time. Today: Schumann Romances, Schubert B flat Sonata, Rameau Pieces de Clavecin, Ives Concord Sonata, and the Chopin Etudes. I would like to have some of my own pieces but I wouldn't want to imply they are the among the top 5 pieces in the world.
For someone of any age who is thinking of learning a musical instrument, what are some words of advice you have for them?
You should, and you will enjoy it. There's no reason why you can't learn music in a way that will enrich your life. Everyone should learn a musical instrument, or make music in some way or other - and not so long ago a high proportion of people did, and most of them did pretty well at it...
For a start, music is not nearly as hard as people think it is. Becoming Lang Lang or Martha Argerich is hard, but the prospect of trying to be Usain Bolt or undergo SAS selection doesn't mean no one can enjoy sport.
I find physical exercise a good analogy for most people. Its not difficult, you work at your own pace and set your own goals, its good for you, it makes you feel good. Do you have lots of time to spare to do it? - no. Are you going to represent your country in the Olympics? - no. Do you bounce out of bed every day motivated to hit the gym or go for a run? - no. If you miss a few days do you go all the way back to square 1? - no. But if you do it regularly in a way which works for you, its great...
I also believe music is like cooking - very easy to do in a way which will transform your life and the lives of those around you, but very hard to stand out as exceptional amongst thousands of other cooks. But standing out from thousands of others is not what you should be worrying about when you pick up an instrument. Just enjoy it for yourself!
For a start, music is not nearly as hard as people think it is. Becoming Lang Lang or Martha Argerich is hard, but the prospect of trying to be Usain Bolt or undergo SAS selection doesn't mean no one can enjoy sport.
I find physical exercise a good analogy for most people. Its not difficult, you work at your own pace and set your own goals, its good for you, it makes you feel good. Do you have lots of time to spare to do it? - no. Are you going to represent your country in the Olympics? - no. Do you bounce out of bed every day motivated to hit the gym or go for a run? - no. If you miss a few days do you go all the way back to square 1? - no. But if you do it regularly in a way which works for you, its great...
I also believe music is like cooking - very easy to do in a way which will transform your life and the lives of those around you, but very hard to stand out as exceptional amongst thousands of other cooks. But standing out from thousands of others is not what you should be worrying about when you pick up an instrument. Just enjoy it for yourself!
What do you think needs to be done to grow classical music audiences?
Reintroduce music into schools - every school, everywhere, every day. But the problem is that no one is going to do that if the motivation is to 'grow classical music audiences'. That is just a happy benefit of the fact that everyone has learned and enjoys music and appreciates others doing it for them at a high level. Classical music is not the aim - music in people's lives is the aim. Concerts work if people have music in their lives. The question itself is completely wrong.
What do you do in your everyday life (off the stage or out of the studio) that provides inspiration for your performances?
I have always found that just being alive is challenge and inspiration enough. Here it gets rather personal and slightly below the belt, but being completely honest, life was such a struggle for a long time that I consider it nothing short of a miracle that I am A: alive and B: have any semblance of a normal or grounded, balanced (let alone pleasurable) existence. That is quite enough inspiration for one lifetime.
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What is your most treasured possession?
My house. I was lucky enough to purchase a small, albeit rather run down cottage in the country when I was in my 20s and without this foundation I doubt I would have had the financial latitude to do anything remotely creative and speculative.
What have been the biggest challenges in your career so far?
Realising who I really was as a musician and having the courage to not try and be someone else.
What are some lifelong projects that you hope to accomplish?
I want to make music for as long as possible.
In scary or unsure times, what keeps you going?
The scary or unsure times!
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