Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Scottish tenor known for performing Bach's B minor Mass.
On the island
Eight records
One of the most cheerful things I know is something we play at home.
I would certainly want to take something of that on the island with me.
That really was what started me off recording.
I would really like to take something which would remind me of that.
It's got the essence of Jewish humour in it, which is among the funniest in the world.
It's the most beautiful singing experience I think I've had.
FrühlingFavourite
The actual song itself is the culmination to me of modern songwriting.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:32You took a BSc at Aberdeen University. With what in mind?
That was uh forestry. After I graduated, yes, I I worked for two years. It's a very lonely job, isn't it?
Presenter asks
6:18When did you decide you wanted to give up forestry and be a professional singer?
While I was doing the two years in forestry, I was still having singing lessons, and my uh singing teacher at Aberdeen, Mr. Swenson, uh suggested and in fact insisted that I should go in for a scholarship a cared scholarship. which was to pay my fees and various other expenses. at the Royal College of Music in London. So I thought I had nothing to lose by at least trying to get it, and I got it. Well, this was a big decision, going back to college all over again.
Presenter asks
6:56What did you want to specialize in? What sort of singing had you in mind?
It was um opera and uh oratorio.
Presenter asks
The keepsakes
The book
The Complete Book of World Cookery
And apart from those wonderful recipes which make you sort of drool when you read them, They have the most tremendous photographs of some of the dishes. looking as if they've just been made baked fish and wonderful pilafs and roast shoulder of lamb and things. I could look at the pictures. It would inspire me, yes.
Was it hard work with the Carl Rosa? Touring the whole time?
Uh, touring, yes, that was hard work, getting into digs and things. But the actual singing wasn't when you're doing it full time and you're tuned to one, two, three rolls, then it's not really hard work because your whole mind, your whole voice is focused on that. It's when you've to change from doing television or concerts and go back to opera and radio and so on and so that's when it becomes difficult.
Presenter asks
14:35Your visits overseas must be big occasions for the local Caledonian societies?
Well, that's maybe putting it a bit too strongly. Occasionally. One or maybe two of them come to meet me at the airport. So I suppose that is a big occasion.
Presenter asks
16:48You have radio interest in Scotland, haven't you?
Yes, I'm a director of a commercial radio station in Scotland. In the west of Scotland. Which has been quite an eye-opener. I think we've supplied things there in the west of Scotland to the public which they have hitherto not had.
“I think they could all sort of hold a tune. We didn't have any cloth eared members of our family.”
“I went to have lessons on the violin for some years. But I didn't quite derive much joy from that. Neither did my family.”
“But I found Bach a very, very welcome change. I think he wrote the most noble music for the voice, particularly choral music, and I would certainly want to take something of that on the island with me.”
“It's the most beautiful singing experience I think I've had.”