Alasdair Crosby is a journalist and author. His passion for country living led him to set up Rural, a quarterly magazine focusing on the Jersey rural environment, culture and community, and how these can stay intact in today’s modern world. A prominent supporter of the Island’s art, music and entertainment scene, we spoke to Alasdair about his journey with music and his inspirations.
At what age did you play music?
From about 7 to 17 I played the piano, not too unsuccessfully... at least I got beyond the 'Marching Along Together' and 'Fairies in the Wood' stage. I like to dream that when I retire (?) I might take it up again.
What did you love most about playing the piano when you were younger?
I loved my (limited) ability to make music and draw notes out of the ether and into melody.
Why does music matter to you?
You could be in for a very long answer, here, so I will try to keep it as short as possible:
Culture seems like a zig-zag mountain road, and after each bend you are higher up the mountain with a clearer view both downhill and uphill. Down at the bottom we have simple skills - journalism, for example, which has its place so long as it is honest, accurate and clearly expressed. Higher up the zig zag bends can be experienced literature, poetry, then music of various styles, so long as the music is genuine and melodic and, like the best food and wine, has a gout du terroir. Great classical music is on a bend that leads upwards towards the clouds - what will be there for us to discover once we go further up to that next bend that leads higher towards the summit above the clouds, which limit our present vision?
Where are you from originally & what inspiration do you take from your current home?
My father was an Army Officer so we moved about a lot when I was young; I have no particular connection with any district; Jersey has been my home on and off during my life, is my permanent home now and likely to remain so. So many people who wander away from Jersey feel drawn back to it - Jersey is truly 'home' even if where one lives is 'away'.
What is your favourite place on earth?
Loyalty would suggest the answer to that is 'Jersey', but I would probably be quite happy really in any area of traditional countryside, be it farmed or wilderness. No big towns, please, no suburbia, no commuting. The thought of living in a big city make me feel sick. I have an unrequited wish to live somewhere where I could open the window and hear wolves howling in the distance, which is difficult in Jersey (even in St Ouen).
Who is your favourite composer?
Chopin or Schubert - I can never decide.
What or who inspires you most?
Who inspires me most (in the contemporary world)? Prince Charles - I am quite a fan
What inspires me most? The particularly European culture - which it has spread around the world - of aspiring in life towards the good, the true and the beautiful.
Which historical figure would you choose to have dinner with?
Le Sieur Geoffroi de Charny, or Plato (preferably at a symposium!)