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How did you become a conductor?
Conducting just evolved naturally for me out of a whole variety of music making at school where I sang, composed, played in chamber music groups, chamber orchestras and symphony orchestras.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I play the cello and piano reasonably well and have been known to sing a lot.
Do you have a favourite composer?
Whoever I am conducting this week. So that makes it Haydn, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.
What is your favourite music to conduct?
The most fun I ever have is when conducting opera, after weeks of production rehearsals, putting all the different voices together with chorus, costumes, staging, and finally orchestra. It's such a thrill when it all works.
What is the best thing about conducting an orchestra?
I get to choose the music.
What has been the scariest moment in your career?
Conducting the Argentinian national Anthem at the opening of the Rugby World cup whilst the Red Arrows flew over the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, drowning out the music. I thought that I'd started an international incident.
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