I’ve often listened to In Tune on BBC Radio 3, so I was excited to be asked to join the Carducci Quartet for a slot on yesterday’s show, to talk about the Cheltenham Music Festival.
Only after arriving in London did I get a text to say I was to sketch live on the air as well (well radio is *such* a visual medium!). Naturally I never leave home without a sketchbook, but a quick dash to an art shop en route added to my arsenal. I then sat outside Broadcasting House to check my purchases and have a quick practise. If you look at the picture of me in the studio, you might just see the beads of nervous perspiration on my forehead
Onwards to the show, where Sean Rafferty’s familiar voice preceded him, and in a flash we were on air.
Under orders, I immediately sketched to a recording of Noye’s Fludde. I attempted to sketch Mr Rafferty (too mercurial to do any justice to him). I drew half a quartet (the Carducci, like a classical ABBA, are two married couples. By chance I drew the two who were celebrating their wedding anniversary). And then I drew an American locomotive during the finale to Dvorak’s American Quartet.
As for the interview, it passed by in a (very brief) haze . I simply had no chance to talk about the things I wanted to talk about. And so I will mention them here:
As Guest Director, I am very proud to be an ambassador for family events at the Cheltenham Music Festival, and for illustration too. I think it is unusual for a children’s author and illustrator to be guest director of a music festival. I think this is partly earned by my hard work on family concerts-with-art in the past. And partly offered as a way to engage new audiences. I think Meurig Bowen has done a brilliant job in attempting something new and worthwhile for this festival, done with integrity and purpose. I think it is vital to engage with new audiences, children and youths and adults, and build audiences for the future. I think music – classical music – has the power and the potential to appeal to a much wider audience than preconceptions suggest and bring great pleasure to many more people.
For my own events, designing the opera Noye’s Fludde is a wonderful opportunity and a dream come true and I’m extremely excited about the collaboration between so many talented people. I am also greatly looking forward to my other events – the new Young Person’s PAINTED Guide to the Orchestra, where I will be painting live on stage with the Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra. And also painting along to – and narrating the story of – The Firebird, performed by a young Russian pianist in Stravinsky’s own piano arrangement.
Exciting things, exciting times.
The interview can be heard here for a few days: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02yjm75
Tickets for the Cheltenham Music Festival are on sale and can be purchased here: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/music/whats-on/list
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