interview

Anthony Inglis is the famous conductor whose baton has led many a charge at the Royal Albert Hall, especially during the Classical Spectacular events. He will be leading the Royal Philharmonic in a new challenge in May, it is called Beat The Baton and will be a unique 5k running event in aid of the Sue Ryder Care charity. We spoke to him to find out more…

How did yourself and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra get involved with this event?

I think it started with a phone call from Sue Ryder care – well they were looking for an orchestra to take part in the event and they looked for a London orchestra and what better orchestra can you get locally than the Royal Philharmonic?

The program of music will have to inspire the runners.  Do you have any particular pieces already in mind?

Yes the music’s going to be uplifting, it’s going to be fast, very popular, music that everybody can sing along, and run along to, stuff like... music like the William Tell overture, the Dvorjak Slovonic Number 8, the Cans Cans of Offenbach, the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, the Marriage of Figarro, and excerpts from the 18 /12 – so it’s going to be music that is fast and exciting.

Do you have a favourite piece that you enjoy conducting and why?

Generally the favourite piece of music I enjoy conducting is the one that I am conducting at that particular moment. It’s more interesting actually to turn it into a negative and say do you have a piece of music you don’t like conducting, because then very occasionally one conducts a piece of music you don’t like and then you have got problems.

The Classical Spectacular is an amazing event.  Will you be bringing any of that magic to Battersea Park?

The Classical Spectacular show itself is different to this event because obviously everybody is sat in the Albert Hall or wherever we’re performing looking at an amazingly huge classical music show, but the fun element of Classical Spectacular will certainly be brought to Battersea park and that’s what I hope I’ll be bringing, cajoling people, encouraging them along and playing exciting music

Do you still play the violin and bassoon?

No, they were a means to an end when I was at school, I knew always what I wanted to do from the age of 6, so I thought in order to conduct an orchestra I’ll need to know a little bit about some of the instruments I’m going to conduct, so I thought well I’ll learn a string instrument, I learnt the piano and I’ll learn a woodwind instrument, and I never got round to the brass.

And finally, can you switch off and just enjoy listening to music or does your hand twitch to hold a baton?

I very seldom listen to music because I’m always playing it, that’s one of the great fortunes of my life that my hobby is my job, and there are not many people who can say that but every now and then I’ll switch on a radio and listen to a piece of music done by a great conductor and then, no, my hand doesn’t twitch because I realise I’m listening to perfection.

Beat The Baton takes place in Battersea Park on Monday 28th May 2007

read interview with Victoria Glover from Sue Ryder Care

read more about Beat The Baton