Violinist Ian Cooper has played all over the world, composed music for all types of events, and created albums of work. The virtuoso performs at Canberra Theatre Centre in An Afternoon at The Proms – A Musical Spectacular on 7 May. Mr Cooper and CW’s Jessica Cordwell caught up to discuss love of music and career highlights.

1. When did you fall in love with the violin?

I was a very pushed child; my mother was a violin teacher and still is.

I was four when I started learning, I guess I started to fall in love with it when I started getting attention of other people …The music itself was a bit over me but I could appreciate the effect it had on other people.

2. Tell us about the show.

The Promenade concerts [Proms] have been held in London’s Royal Albert Hall for over 100 years.

They play the hits, so you don’t have to sit through the whole of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony to hear the Ode of Joy. They play the best bits; if there is going to be a classical music program for the people, that’s what they will put on for The Proms.

I have a cast with me of three sopranos and an opera tenor … We have marching pipers and drummers. The pipe band and the orchestra do numbers together, I’m in the middle of it all, I’m like the circus ringmaster with all these talented people around me and it’s a great place to be.

3. What are your career highlights?

I was commissioned to compose a song for the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, the Tin Symphony. It’s the bit that had all the Ned Kellys in it.

I just love entertaining people and my vehicle is music.

4. Do you have a favourite genre to play?

When the band combine with the orchestra, that’s a style I love playing. I am very happy playing small intimate music like solo violin but I’m equally happy playing with a large orchestra.

5. What’s next for you?

More of The Proms. We’re happy to be back on the road, we have a cast of 60 and we’ve been a bit quiet the last two years.

Answers have been condensed for publication.

See Ian Cooper in An Afternoon at The Proms – A Musical Spectacular at Canberra Theatre Centre, Sunday 7 May 2pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

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