Into the spotlight today is Phil Mountford with his classical cross-over group called, Fordante. This looks like a superb family friendly evening of well-loved music from the big screen. You can see Fordante at the United Reformed Church in Buxton on Sunday 18th July from 4.00-5.00 pm with a second performance later that evening at 7.30 to 9.30 pm. So let’s chat with Phil…
1. What inspired you to become a composer and create your crossover-classical group Fordante?
From a young age I listened to a lot of film soundtracks and popular classical music. A little later whilst studying the electronic organ I started listening to an Italian group called Rondo Veneziano and this was the music that put the seed of Fordante into my head over 20 years ago! I wanted to compose classical music that was accessible to anyone (not elitist or highbrow) maybe even having a percussive element to it.
2. What’s your show about and where are you taking your show after the Buxton Fringe?
Our show performs several well known pieces of film music such as music from The Pirates of the Caribbean, The Godfather, Out Of Africa and Dr Zhivago alongside our own passionate, uplifting, classical music that has been inspired by the sounds of Venice, Arabia, tangos and film soundtracks. We’re currently on a 14 concert tour around the Midlands supported once again by the UK Arts Council.
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
My worst experience happened at a festival last year when I was provided with a stage piano except that there was no sustain pedal and worse still the notes all just kept playing as though the sustain was on all the time!
One of the reasons I like performing with the ladies in Fordante is that it is just fun – not really a funny moment as such, but it’s just a great fun being part of team playing the music we do.
4. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
If you mean who I would like to work with composing classical music then I would say Karl Jenkins and when I’ve got my film composing hat on then I would say Hans Zimmer. But to perform with them I would absolutely love to do a concert with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).
5. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I have to say that I’m proud of my performers in Fordante – without them it would sound rather quiet! But I’m proud of creating Fordante because I genuinely feel, based partly on our audience feedback, that we have something that is enjoyable and with the right promotion and awareness has, to quote The Music Critic, “broader appeal that its classical roots”.
As for my goals then it is definitely doing more of the same – composing and performing. One of my goals is to perform at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.
6. Are you a gadget geek or a gadget freak? How do you see technology progressing to assist production and marketing of your show in the future?
I do get called a gadget geek by friends I’m afraid. I guess this is partly because my background is in Computer Science so I actually embrace new technology – but only if I see it as useful. I’m not one to jump on the latest gadget just because I can – having said that I’m looking forwards to integrating an iPad into my studio.
Within the music studio technology is essential and without it I wouldn’t have been able to independently produce or release Fordante’s debut album ‘The Arrival’. Within our shows there are a couple of areas where I want to include some new technology but that is something to sort in the future.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what tasty treat would you prepare?
Maybe this is a little predictable but I would have to include a film composer, film director and classical music composer. First choice would be Carl Davies (who I’ve seen conduct the CBSO several times and actually met his delightful wife Jean Boht), Karl Jenkins (I admire how he’s crossed the boundary from media to classical music) and Ridley Scott (for creating some of the finest films). I wouldn’t be able to create a tasty enough meal for them though as my cooking abilities are pretty modest to say the least!
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
I watch an awful lot of films and consequently only really read books (other than technical manuals) when I’m on holiday as I’m rather a slow reader I need plenty of time to absorb the words which I only get when I’m away. But the last book I enjoyed was ‘Hold Tight’ by Harlan Corban.
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself!
- I composed the music to Norman Wisdom’s last film ‘Expresso’.
- I used to engrave headstones and design and build marble fireplaces.
- After listening to my music film directors they always think I’m classically trained… I’m not, it just comes from years of listening to instrumental music.
- My sister-in-law is the cellist in Fordante.
- I’m a firm believer that you can do whatever you like if you focus your abilities and apply your mind.
10. What do you think we can do as an individual to save the planet, if anything?
From my rather naïve perspective I’m sure the planet will be saved eventually but until the developing countries reduce their emissions (and of course they will need incentives to do so) then it’s difficult to predict what will happen.
