OMI: Lucy Perry Monday, 11 May 2009

Posted by The Lost Book in One minute interviews.
Tags: interview, Music, scottish chamber orchestra, soundtrack
trackback

This morning we’re recording the music for episode 4 with composer Blair Mowat and Su-a Lee on cello, Iain Sandilands on percussion and Lost Book first-timer Janet Larsson on flute.

So, today’s One Minute Interview is with Lucy Perry, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Education Director.

Without Lucy and her team (in particular Kirsten Hunter in education and Lauren Johnston-Smith and Sheena Macrae in marketing) none of the musical brilliance that is one of The Lost Book’s best features would have been possible. Lucy and Kirsten came up with the idea of commissioning composers to write The Lost Book’s soundtrack, and getting players from the SCO to record the music, and then made it happen.

That’s not all the SCO have been involved in. They’ve set up an e-newsletter for The Lost Book. They organised this month’s treasure hunt, and donated concert tickets as a prize (speaking of which, take a look at winner Bibliomane’s poetic response to the concert). They give out books at their concerts. They are tireless in raising The Lost Book’s profile. And, they help in all sorts of practical ways: the photo shows Kirsten (middle) and Lucy (right) helping Helen (left) to label this month’s delivery of books from Canongate.

Lucy’s taken our One Minute Interview so read on to find out more…

 

---

One minute interview: Lucy Perry

---

Occupation
Education Director, Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Where were you born?
Wimbledon

Where do you live now?
Edinburgh

How many books are there on your shelves? (Approx.)
Prob. about 200

What’s been the most fun thing about this project? (The first word of your answer must begin with L and the last word begin with B!)
Learning loads about animation, meeting really interesting people and knowing that Jasper Fforde is involved – I have all his books!

Do you think that constraints are creative?
Yes, they fire the imagination. Just like with this project where we decided to use composers with Edinburgh and/or Bristol connections. Suddenly that opened up a world of opportunity and we arrived with our brilliant selection of Alexis, Blair and Michael.

Who do you think stole the book from the National Library?
Well, I think this has all the trademarks of Acheron Hades…

Which book would you most hate to lose?
Delia’s complete cookery course – I’d never eat again!

Who’s your favourite fictional detective?
Poirot

Who’s your favourite fictional dog?
It has to be Brain from Inspector Gadget – he is the master of disguise

Which book has affected you the most?
The Time Traveller’s Wife.

When and where do you read the most?
Travelling, and guiltily snatched hours in cafes when no-one’s looking.

Where’s your favourite ‘booky’ place?
Any second-hand bookshop.

What do you like most about a book apart from the story: its size, its smell, its cover, its…?
Its power to take you to another world in an instant.

For you what does a book lack the most – music, moving pictures, …?
I agree with Alexis, books are perfect.

Have you ever used a book as a 1) doorstop, 2) missile, 3) an excuse not to do the washing up?
Yes to 1 and 2, and we have a wonderful dishwasher so no excuse needed!

Have you ever regarded a book as a friend, or indeed a monster?
Most of my books are friends which I’ve had for a long time.