Concert music comes with a blank page and asks only what I have to say, which I find much more challenging. At the same time it is liberating in a completely different way to the constraints of film music

Interviews with musicians, composers and conductors
Concert music comes with a blank page and asks only what I have to say, which I find much more challenging. At the same time it is liberating in a completely different way to the constraints of film music
Who or what inspired you to take up composing, and pursue a career in music? My life in the composition field was born during my
Love composition enough to want to do it whether you get paid or not. Have friends or pupils who are happy to perform it. Value and reflect on your life experiences, whether happy or painful, because whether music appears to be programmatic or abstract, it is all the product of experiences that are deeply felt, as much as of individual gifts.
When composing for film, it’s a challenge because you are writing music that has to satisfy both yourself, but most importantly the film director. The music needs to tell the story and the film is so dependent on the music to do this.
Working with particular musicians means you can compose tailor-made pieces specifically to them – one hopes this will lead to a piece that is of greater enjoyment and fulfilment for them but also, is a greater success overall
I heard a ‘cello being played on the radio (I can’t remember who was playing) when I was about 6, and just knew that was the instrument I had to play. I fully intended to just become an internationally famous concert ‘cellist (as you do!) but gradually composing took over.