An interview with CHRISTOPHER GLYNN our NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Taken from the December issue of Ryedale Festival SOH FAH Magazine
Ken Overton, Ryedale Festival Chairman spent a very long but enjoyable day with Christopher visiting venues throughout Ryedale and took the opportunity of asking your questions whilst travelling –
What are your plans for Ryedale?
I am really delighted and thrilled to have been appointed to this job as it is very obvious to me that Ryedale is a very special and unique festival. Justin Doyle has clearly done a fantastic job as artistic director so I will be trying to build on everything that has been done so far. I’d like to continue to develop it in two directions – firstly, looking outwards, as a national festival, attracting the finest artists and widespread recognition and interest. Secondly, as a community festival which enhances the lives and reflects the talents of the people of Ryedale.
Do you know the area?
Yes, I do know it a little, as I have spent some time walking on the moors. But I am very much looking forward to getting to know this beautiful part of the country better and to discovering all the festival venues. I love the north of England generally and always feel my spirits lift as the train pulls out of Kings Cross and heads north!
Tell us about your family…
My wife, Clare, is a baroque viola player, who actually studied at York University with Peter Seymour and played in the Ryedale Festival as a student. She plays with many of the leading period instrument orchestras but she is also very busy in another area - as we have three young children. They are Barney, who has just started school (and loves it), Jonah, a 2 year old who can’t sit still for more than 3 seconds and Jemima who is 1 and already showing signs of ruling the whole house!
What do you think are the characteristics of the best festivals?
I think that the best festivals are often built around a sense of place and community and, through placing music at the heart of what they do, bring people together in rewarding and fruitful partnerships. I'm also very aware of how much any successful festival relies on the generosity and goodwill of volunteers and sponsors. I’m already very struck by the beautiful surroundings, wonderful variety of venues and very warm welcome which exists in the Ryedale Festival.
You are clearly in great demand and have worked with many famous names – Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Thomas Allen, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Joan Rodgers, Kate Royal, Jonas Kaufmann and Sir Simon Rattle, among many others – is there anyone who has been a particularly important musical partner?
I’ve been very lucky to work with many wonderful musicians. For me the joy of my job is the stimulation of working with so many different people – every singer brings something new to the music and that is true whether they are famous or not. I really enjoy the challenge of changing the way I play to reflect who I am playing with.
Why did you decide to be an accompanist, rather than a solo pianist?
The quick answer is that I enjoy performing with other people. The slightly longer one is that I started as an organist and then, when I was at university I started accompanying some singers on the piano and loved it. The things I enjoyed most then are still the things I enjoy now – the richness of the repertoire, the sense of ‘give and take’ in playing chamber music and, in the song repertoire, the fact that there are words as well as notes to think about. I met a man called John Streets who told me he thought I had the makings of an accompanist and offered to teach me. He was a wonderful teacher then and has become a great mentor since. I also later studied with Malcolm Martineau and since that point I have been fortunate enough to make my living out of playing the piano.
What is the quality you value most in your musical partners?
Spontaneity is very important to me – I very much enjoy playing with people where new things happen every time you play a piece - where there is the feeling of being ‘in the moment’ and an element of risk-taking. People can sit at home and listen to CDs if they want perfection but I think when they go to a concert they appreciate real live music-making.
Who are your favourite composers?
That’s always a difficult one - but Schubert, Mozart, Bach, Byrd, Mahler, Mussorgsky, Janacek, Verdi, Fauré, Dvorak, Sibelius, Elgar and Vaughan Williams are all definitely among them…..and now I will go away and remember all the ones I forgot to say!
What about contemporary composers?
James Macmillan and Peter Maxwell-Davies are two of my favourites, but there are many others too….
What are your interests outside of music?
I love the theatre and cinema and I also enjoy playing football (badly), cooking (only slightly less badly), going walking and reading. Otherwise, life is very much taken up with having three children under the age of 4!
What about your favourite pianists?
That’s another difficult one! Richter, Britten, Argerich, Gerald Moore, Perahia, Ashkenazy and Cortot are definitely among them but I also really admire the jazz piano playing of someone like Andre Previn or Bill Evans – so a whole mixture of people really…
Who has influenced your interest in programming?
I grew up in Leicester when Simon Rattle was in charge of the CBSO and I remember the wonderful programming he used to do there with this fantastic mix of well-known and lesser-known repertoire. Also I’m very interested in Benjamin Britten’s ideas on the place of music in the community. All through his life it was a subject close to his heart and I think it brought about some of his greatest music. For instance, a piece like St Nicholas - such a practical piece to put on - but absolutely inspired in the way it incorporates parts for children and large chorus, and in its immediate and direct appeal to any audience.
Thank you for talking to Soh Fah, Chris. I know there are many people who are looking forward to greeting you and sharing your music making.
