What is your idea of perfect happiness?
An open bottle and a roaring fire.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Dietrich Buxtehude (minus the ugly daughter ).
Which living person do you most admire?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Which is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Driving to Oughterard to practise the organ (it’s a lovely journey around the top of the lough, but it takes an hour… )
What is your favourite journey?
The coast road up to East Cape, New Zealand – and the above!
On what occasion do you lie?
Regularly in rehearsal – well, being economical with the truth when we’re making a hames of it, shall we say.
Which living person do you most despise?
The slow driver in front who won’t move over.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
The slow driver who does – and my partner of course (who could very well be the above slow driver… )
When and where were you happiest?
The last time a performance went well.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To fly (an aeroplane, not as a bird ).
What is your current state of mind?
Mildly neurotic.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Starting things - current tally, five choirs, three orchestras, and two festivals…
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be?
A person, preferably.
What is your most treasured possession?
A mint condition 1902 Steinway grand piano.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Not having the time to play said Steinway.
What is your favourite occupation?
Playing said Steinway.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Ability to lift said Steinway.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Ditto!
Who are your favourite writers?
Janet Frame, Eric Newby, William Dalrymple, John Banville.
What is your motto?
Where is the corkscrew?
Mark Duley is the organist at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, artistic director of Pipeworks, and presenter of the New York Polyphony in concert in St Nicholas’ on Sunday November 16 at 8pm.
Kernan Andrews
