There are so many interesting people involved at Radio Blue Mountains both behind the mic and behind the scenes, that we thought we’d share their stories here on the RBM website. Peter McGrath presents Afternoon Classics every Monday from 2pm-4pm, with great aplomb.
Q: Hi Peter, thanks very much for taking the time out to speak with us.
A: Thank you for the opportunity to let the RBM listener know a little more about Afternoon Classics.
Q: Yes, tell us about your show on RBM, Afternoon Classics and how it came about?
A: I was asked by Julie Ankers, the then President of RBM, would I be interested in joining the Talking Newspaper team in 2019 and so, I did.
When Julie discovered my interest in classical music, she urged me to present a classical music programme. Unfortunately, at that time there was not a suitable time slot available. Fast forward to April, 2023, when Peter Walker approached me with the idea of sharing a classical music programme on Monday aftteroons and well, I guess the rest is history.
Q: When a listener tunes in to Afternoon Classics, what should they expect to hear?
A: Many well known works by the great composers, such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and the list goes on. I usually include a symphony, instrumental concerto, perhaps a string quartet or quintet and vocal works.
I prefer to play entire works (if time permits), rather than an individual movement, so that the listener is able to follow the composer’s full musical intention.
Q: So is your show’s content curated around particular eras or composers of classical music?
A: There is generally music from the Baroque period and also an emphasis on music from the Classical and romantic periods. So, works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn appear often on Afternoon Classics.
Q: Are there composers you find yourself going back to again and again for the show?
A: Yes. Some personal favourites, such as Handel, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn and just lately, Johann Vanhal.
Q: All music played on RBM is a reflection of the individual presenter in some ways. What is the style of classical music that you would feel the closest connection to?
A: Undoubtedly, music from the Baroque era.
Q: Where do you stand with film soundtrack composers like John Barry, Ennis Morricone or Hans Zimmer? Is their work “classical music” or “orchestral music”?
A: I would fit it into the “orchestral” camp. I think that film music is composed to enhance the visual screen experience.
Q: Indeed. Film soundtracks though, are extremely important in making classical music, or orchestral music, accessible to the young. At what point in your life Peter, do you think that classical music first began to speak to you?
A: Probably into my early to mid twenties, after finishing university. My father had an interest in classical music, so perhaps he planted the seed.
Q: Moving on now, tell us a bit about yourself. Where did the young Peter McGrath grow up?
A: In Sydney, Brisbane and then back to Sydney. Most of my schooling was in Brisbane, with the final two years in Sydney.
Q: And once you finished high school in Sydney what happened next? University, travel, a job?
A: I did an Arts degree at the University of New South Wales, majoring in psychology, sociology and French. Rather surprisingly, I worked in the public service in a psychology job for a while, before moving into the travel industry, where I spent most of my working life.
Q: What was your favourite Saturday afternoon activity as a teen in either Brisbane or Sydney? Were you learning a musical instrument, playing sport or were you hanging out with friends?
A: If I can think back that far, probably spending time in the garden.
Q: And can you remember the first record you bought?
A: Not really. Perhaps some Gilbert and Sullivan. I do remember buying records through the World Record Club in my late teens and the records were all classical music.
Q: So was trawling record shops not something you did on weekends?
A: No, that happened much later when I was travelling to London and the USA.
Q: That must have been a great experience for you.
Now, like all of our interviews Peter, it’s time for some rapid fire questions and answers. Are you ready?
A: Sure.
Favourite Music? Baroque
Favourite Composer? Handel
Favourite Piece? Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Julius Caesar, in English)
Most overrated, overused piece of classical music?
Pachelbels’s Canon
Favourite night out 30 years ago? Going to the opera, or a concert, or dinner with friends.
Favourite night out today? These days, it is more a night in.
Favourite Film? The Sound of Music (pretty tragic).
Favourite Film Score? The Mission
Favourite Film Director? Just one? Steven Spielberg, George Cukor, if I could add another.
Favourite Actor? Katharine Hepburn. Well, I am of a certain age.
Favourite food? Chocolate.
Favourite Drink? Wine.
Favourite holiday destination? France
And finally Peter, complete this sentence: “If I won a million bucks tomorrow I would . . . travel to as many European music festivals as I could, and also give a substantial amou nt to charitable organisations”.
Thank you Peter for giving this insight into yourself. Love your “favourite food” answer. I too am a believer.
Thanks for your time.
RL.