PERPECTIVES… a Cheltenham based Arts magazine asked me to rustle up a cover for their latest issue, in celebration of the forthcoming festival. The brief was to try to show a new perspective (!) on classical music, to emphasise the strong family events programming of which I am guest director. The idea of art for all is not new, of course, but I am personally deeply committed to finding new ways to surprise an audience and show that classical music (in this instance) isn’t just a big boring exclusive club for grey elephants, but that a little mouse can join in and be important too, both on the stage and in the audience.
It’s this philosophy that motivates me in the concerts I’ll be performing in: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and The Firebird. I believe it also motivated Benjamin Britten, when he wrote Noye’s Fludde.
Pliny the Elder’s ancient belief that elephants are scared of mice adds another twist to the image of course, as the animals play together… harmoniously.
Oh, and the fact that my latest book features and elephant and mouse too (Bubble & Squeak), is no coincedence; these creatures are very much on my mind!
PERSPECTIVES magazine is now available in Cheltenham and beyond, with details of the festival inside.
Full details of the festival events can be found on the Cheltenham Music Festival website: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/music/
Tickets for youngsters are just £5 – so bring your little mice along to meet some elephants and let’s all fall in love with music together!
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