The questions posed are moronic...

[Seán]

The wonderful Irish times excelled on Saturday with this interview. Why is it assumed that we are all morons? The last question really takes the biscuit. Am I being too cantankerous, I wonder?

Talk time
BUTLER talks to David Brophy, principle conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
As a musician you were something of a late bloomer.
I came to music rather late. I didn't begin taking piano lessons until I was 13 years old. When I left school I had only got as far as grade four. It was at that point that I took a year out and began to practise seriously. People have this impression that if you haven't been taking lessons from the age of three or four years old, you'll never make it as a so-called classical musician. But that's not so.

Was there a particular conductor who inspired you?
Simon Rattle and Lenny Bernstein, I think, were the two. Long before YouTube existed, I went through a phase of collecting DVDs of the great conductors. Looking back, it's fascinating to see how styles and techniques have changed.

I've seen you referred to as "down to earth maestro" David Brophy.
The "maestro" thing is a running joke at this stage. It's an Italian word that was used at a time when the conductor was a dictatorial figure. If you go online you can listen to audio recordings of the great Italian conductor Toscanini screaming and shouting at the orchestra in rehearsal. Those days are long gone.

One of your upcoming collaborations is with the Aprés Match comedy trio .
I'd seen the lads perform as the River Tenors - basically taking the mick out of the Three Irish Tenors. It was side-splittingly funny, so we got in touch to see if they'd like to work with the orchestra. It'll be an unusual night alright.

Are conflicts between artistic sensibilities and the commercial imperative to be accessible ever a cause of tension?
No. Besides, it would be a mistake to think of artistic sensibility as something that applies only to what has been labelled "high art". One shining example of that was when we worked with U2 for the opening ceremony at the Special Olympics in 2003. I remember rehearsing with them at Croke Park and Bono having very clear understanding of the role of the orchestra.

If someone came looking at the concert orchestra with a view to making cuts, what would you say to justify its continued existence ?
In the White House this month, Brian Cowen and Gabriel Byrne both spoke about the importance of the creative industries in kick-starting our economic revival. So I think orchestral tours abroad - particularly around March, particularly to America - could be very important. I remember touring the States with the RTÉ SO in 2002; whenever we played Danny Boy, the audience just wept. These are audiences of often very wealthy Irish-Americans. When they hear this music, they want to come back. They want to support Ireland. I think the Government has really realised that.

Can you practise conducting on your own or does the orchestra have to be there, too?
No, you can't practise on your own. That would be ridiculous. Well, I suppose you could stand in front of the mirror and admire yourself in action. But that would be very, very silly. If you're going to conduct, you've got to conduct players.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra's spring/summer season of 10 concerts runs from April to June at the National Concert Hall. nch.ie

[Ivor]

The wonderful Irish times excelled on Saturday with this interview. Why is it assumed that we are all morons? The last question really takes the biscuit. Am I being too cantankerous, I wonder?

I've been wondering for some time now who Eoin Butler is shagging in the Irish Times. He struggles with every subject he writes about. I don't know if he was chosen to be a sort of "everyman" columnist or not but if he was then we should feel somewhat insulted.
Actually the whole Weekend Magazine is gone to hell. No..... I don't want to read about some art student who designs shoes made out of turnips her grandmother grows on her organic farm in West Cork.

[Diapason]

Christ that's shit.

David Brophy is an extremely cool guy, a real character and a fantastic musician. I simply can't believe that's the best "interview" they could come up with. Gah!!

[fergus]

The printed media in this (and other countries) frequently lament the continued and inexorable decline in circulation figures. I suppose that they would blame people like me as I gave up buying their product years ago. I would, in fact, blame them for printing drivel like this which ensures that anybody with even half a brain would not pay good money for!!

[Seán]

I am delighted with the response from you so far, I was wondering if it was just me and it's not, that's great.

[fergus]

I am delighted with the response from you so far, I was wondering if it was just me and it's not, that's great.

Now I am confused Seán....are you not as cantankerous as you think you are or are we all equally as cantankerous as you!?!?!?

[Seán]

I am delighted with the response from you so far, I was wondering if it was just me and it's not, that's great.

Now I am confused Seán....are you not as cantankerous as you think you are or are we all equally as cantankerous as you!?!?!?

'fraid not, no one is as cantakerous as I am.

[Smashey]

The wonderful Irish times excelled on Saturday with this interview. Why is it assumed that we are all morons? The last question really takes the biscuit. Am I being too cantankerous, I wonder?

I think you're all being a bit hard on Eoin Butler. The only thing that spoilt it for me was that he missed the 54 thousand dollar question. I mean if David Brophy is the Principle Conductor, who actually drives the bus?

[Ivor]

I think you're all being a bit hard on Eoin Butler. The only thing that spoilt it for me was that he missed the 54 thousand dollar question.

I'm judging him by all his articles. I've thought he was a chancer for quite a while now but I'm far too nice to ever voice such an opinion. That why we have Seán. ;)

[Seán]

I think you're all being a bit hard on Eoin Butler. The only thing that spoilt it for me was that he missed the 54 thousand dollar question.

I'm judging him by all his articles. I've thought he was a chancer for quite a while now but I'm far too nice to ever voice such an opinion. That why we have Seán. ;)

You are a pet Ivor. LOL