I am a lover of music, not just classical music, and I'll listen to just about anything.
When I was younger, I was very influenced by my cousins Nick and Chris, who had great taste in music, always preferring bands that wrote and played their own material.
As a youngster, I loved Nirvana, the Stiff Little Fingers, The Cranberries and any band that had decent tunes, good lyrics, and a half charismatic front man (or woman).
Mike Peters with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
So, you can imagine my delight when, as part of BBC Radio Wales Day 2014, the orchestra was afforded the opportunity to be involved in an evening with Mike Peters of The Alarm, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the band’s album, Declaration.
You can listen to the full concert tonight on BBC Radio Wales, or watch clips from the evening.
It’s exciting for us to take part in events like this - to combine with another artist who is so tightly woven into the fabric of Welsh music making, and to have the chance to perform for music lovers who may not be regulars at orchestral concerts.
It is a great opportunity to show people that the orchestra isn’t a dusty antique from a bygone era, trundled out each week for a couple of concerts to play music by dead people.
Mike Peters & the BBC National Orchestra of Wales open the concert with the classic track
Live music, no matter the genre, no matter if the composers are alive or dead, is relevant and exciting, and I think watching live performances - pop, rock, classical, whatever - is a uniquely visceral experience.
We began the project with an afternoon of rehearsals, led by John Quirk, who had also masterminded the orchestral arrangements for the event.
Joining us were the wonderful Acquire Choir from Rhuddlan, who describe themselves as a community choir.
Although if that is the standard of Welsh community choirs, there’s many a professional outfit who should be watching their backs.
Mike Peters was an absolute pleasure to work with. He may have been the star of the show, but he was one of the most humble and delightful of soloists.
In my opinion, the whole project felt like a celebration of great music making.
Our studio at BBC Hoddinott Hall, was an ideal venue for the concert.
The crowd showing their appreciation.
It was big enough to allow several hundred of Mike’s fans to get tickets, tiered enough that everyone could get a good view, but small enough to give a real sense of intimacy.
The warmth of the audience was incredible, and I found the concert a very moving, and wholly uplifting experience.
It was a privilege to share such a special evening with Mike’s fans, and to be allowed to bring our playing into the mix.
I will remember this concert for my whole career, it’s up there with my all-time favourite orchestral performances:
Shostakovich 10 with Francois Xavier Roth, Adams’ On The Transmigration of Souls in 2011, the first Sibelius Concerto we played with Vilde Frang and Thomas Sondergard, Mahler 3 with Tadaaki and the schools’ extravaganza we put on in Llandudno’s Venue Cymru.
The thing is, good music, is good music, unless it’s really shocking generic, mid 90’s pop, masquerading as House.
Mike Peters' drum
It doesn’t have to be clever or highfaluting (as my father would describe some of the music I like); it simply has to connect with you and stir you.
As a musician and/or a listener, our job is simply to be open to being moved, setting all the preconceptions and prejudices aside.
