‘The Steeple Times’ asks conductor, keyboard player and historical performance specialist Ian Peter Bugeja: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
An insatiable thirst for knowledge.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“L’État, c’est moi”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2015?
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana: Could they possibly be more hypocritical or more homophobic?
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I don’t miss anything because the minute I find myself missing something, I go ‘out there’ and get it.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Peace of mind.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I’m no expert, but I blame the irrational financiers who claimed to have found a way to banish risk when in fact they had simply lost track of it. The situation was exacerbated by the many regulators who tolerated such a folly.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“YOLO” (“You only live once”).
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity does indeed begin at home. I personally support Cancer Research UK and Merlin/Save the Children.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Mobile phones are wonderful devices that can keep us connected but we must be careful not to let the use of such devices replace human interaction. I personally prefer actual reality to virtual reality.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My fellow passengers would be my closest friends and family, as well as some of the most inspiring collaborators I have had the privilege of working with thus far.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My last meal would probably consist of cheese soup, followed by pan-fried veal escalope cooked with vermouth and orange. I’d finish with lots of sorbet and ice-cream. Regarding the ‘where’, I guess it would have to be in prison, as one doesn’t exactly have much of a choice if they’re on death-row.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
I believe that it’s perfectly acceptable to consume the first drink of the day at 11am, as long as it’s a gin and tonic; the only drink acceptable to consume earlier than that is champagne – and that’s to compliment salmon, eggs and caviar for breakfast, of course.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini, although, sometimes, only a cup of tea can make everything better.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I attend many fabulous parties hosted by friends and co-workers, so I could no sooner pick a favourite star in the heavens.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My father: He is an eternal optimist.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Cheese: I’m a real cheese addict.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
It would be of my idol Louis XIV. Tattoos don’t suit me though so I would never get one.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d be a Jaguar.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I founded my first ensemble at the age of 14. Less than a month after setting it up, we started giving regular concerts.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A peony bouquet in a small vase, a mantel clock, and a miniature replica of the Mikhail Kozlovsky ‘Peterhof Samson’.
Conductor and keyboard player Ian Peter Bugeja is a historical performance specialist and the founder and executive director of Les Bougies Baroques, a period instrument ensemble. He is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the University of Malta. He has worked with groups and orchestras including the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra and the RWCMD Chamber Orchestra.
Follow him on Twitter at @IanPeterB and @bougiesbaroques.
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Sounds very talented. When is his next concert?
What a vain person!!!!!!! I would never wear a pink bow tie.
Oh come on, Rod….it would suit you, I am sure….
Oh rod off!!!!
You could wear one with your ‘Hunting Pink’ when you are engaged in ‘Field Sports’….
I am disappointed that this individual does not mention Find Madeleine. Ian Peter should, like all the rest of you, be supporting dear Gerry and Kate McCann in their efforts to find their beloved daughter Madeleine. FIND MADELEINE, FIND MADELEINE NOW.
Oh Jillian, Jillian. You do realize, don’t you, that there are thousands and thousands of worthwhile causes out there. Your “Johnny One Note” postings are obsessional and tiresome.
Cannot believe you are putting links for fashion brands in articles. Why not credit the charities, the opera houses, etc? Why not just publish an advert?????? I like The Steeple Times because it only links to USEFUL things normally. Don’t go down this route.
I agree. The Steeple Times should not pander to such nonsense.
I am so tired of internet trolls posting useless comments like some of the ones underneath this article… Talent like Ian Peter should be supported and encouraged – ‘Illegitimi non carborundum’ I always say! Where can I see Ian Peters next concert?
What does that mean, William….is it Spanish or are you showing off?
What are you on about? If you don’t like it, rod off!!!!!
You sound frightfully common, Rodney….I am sure the Manners girls would find you terribly ordinary…despite your love of ‘field sports’.
How very cheesy.
A gentleman never wears a coloured bow-tie.
A gentleman should neve wear a bow-tie, unless with a dinner jacket. It’s the sort of thing used car dealers in the ’50’s thought smart… so ‘de trop’
I find myself agreeing with you matey boy!!!!!
I’m with those who ask: “When is his next concert?”
What is wrong with you people? A young man who is forward with his style – not to mention incredibly talented and successful at such a young age – should be encouraged, not subjected to the worthless ‘opinions’ of washed-up haters and internet trolls… Is there really no hope left for this world?
We who comment here regularly think you should rod off!!!! Don’t tell us what to do.
What a boring boy.
What a talented [and attractive] young man! Keep it up Ian.
“Attractive”? Goodness knows what you would think of me if you think Boris Karloff lookalike attractive.
Go ahead and link us to a picture of your gorgeous self then, Peter Wayde – I dare you… Do put your money where your mouth is.
So readers are aware, Henry and Jonathan are posting from the same IP address: 90.196.181.206.
I would not wish to frighten the horses
Interesting read and an interesting individual! Where can we catch him perform?
How do you “catch” a performance? Surely one “watches” or “listens” or “partakes” but one simply does not “catch” such a thing.
in such a fickle world opinions are like certain crude body parts, everybody’s got one. yet it those whose opinion is actually sought , who are the movers and the shakers of this world.. those who, like Ian, are real, inspiring and authentic. a failure wants everyone else to fail but a successful person wants everyone else to succeed. you can always tell a successful person when you see one, and Ian Peter Bugeja is right up there among the best of them. An incredible pianist, an incredible mind, and an altogether astounding human being. #love
People who use hashtags really get my goat!!!!!! Just sayin.
People who use multiple explanation marks ‘really get my goat!!!!!!’ Oh, and there should be an apostrophe at the end of ‘sayin’, Rod – just sayin’! After all, as you yourself said: ‘love, you should expect criticism!!!! And you should damn well take it!!!!!!’ – so think long and hard about your own [mis]use of punctuation, etc. before condemning those who use hashtags. People who live in glass houses…
So readers are aware, Henry, Jonathan and now Henrietta are posting from the same IP address: 90.196.181.206.
Bit of a slow day in the office Matthew?
Slow in what sense?
This is getting wearisome….I agree, again with Rod!
Anyway, your grammer, ms munro, is worse than mine…and that’s saying something!
And all this ‘authentic’ stuff. His matching bow tie and hankie don’t look too ‘authentic’: they look rather posed.
A very talented artist- excellence should be encouraged and awarded especially at such a young age, not bashed for no good reason! What is wrong with you people!
If you put yourself out there in the press Gladys, love, you should expect criticism!!!! And you should damn well take it!!!!!!
Rod dear, constructive criticism is one thing, useless bashing is quite another!
I agree with Rod…anyway, I cannot take seriously someone called Gladys…Glad, are you for real?
I bet all posters asking, “when/where is his next concert” never get beyond Kyxx. Stop all this cultural posing
You’re one to talk Peter… Lecturing others on cultural posing when you are nothing more than a sad Internet troll/keyboard warrior who is clearly anything but cultural. Do get a life.
So readers are aware, Henry and Jonathan are posting from the same IP address: 90.196.181.206.
Jonathan….only very ignorant, ill educated and simple people use ‘get a life’….you must try harder!
Well done Ian. Like the questions very much.
What an interesting chap! I am very much looking forward to attending his performances; he’s definitely one to keep an eye (and an ear) on.
Brilliant interview. Love getting an insight into someone who is both aspirational and inspirational. Where will Ian be performing next?
Bravo, Ian! Keep up the good work as one of the foremost young pioneers at the forefront of the historical performance movement – you’re a star.
Cannot see what the fuss is about. Harmless answers.
Here’s a recotding they did. Not sure where the next concert is. A lot of them are at the Guildhall.
https://youtu.be/X6b5FT5LVEo