In between rehearsals, conductor Jac Van Steen shares his thoughts on Ian McEwan & Michael Berkeley's oratorio Or Shall We Die? and the concert on Thursday 22 May.

"I believe in Michael's music. The music in Or Shall We Die? is well suited to the text - it's very filmic. It is a fantastic composition with colourful orchestration and supports every statement made by the libretto. I think the issues it covers [about nuclear war] are more relevant today than ever. Art is not just about entertainment, but about provoking thought. An artist can get this message across to the audience and this is what I strive to do with music. I'm a big fan of Ian McEwan's philosophy that the Arts can deal with society's issues - why do we accept the bad decisions made by politicians? Ian McEwan and Michael Berkeley are the ideal combination to put this piece together- literature touches you just in the same way music can.

The decision to include Sibelius' Symphony No 7 in this concert was an easy one. He is an important composer for both Michael and myself. across the 19 minutes the piece grows out of one central point-it is very organic - and is a marked contrast to the other two Michael Berkeley works"

The 'Berkeley @ 60' concert takes place on Thursday 22 May, St David's Hall, Cardiff, 7.30pm. Ian McEwan and Michael Berkeley will also be giving a pre concert talk between 6-7pm.

Tickets are £12 each from St David's Hall Box Office on 02920 878444 or call the Audience Line on 0800 052 1812 for more information.