As from next Wednesday, a novel idea will see classical music delighting TV audiences thanks to Favourite Channel's new programme Allegro con Brio. Budding music personality Ian Peter Bugeja has created this programme which will keep viewers company every Wednesday night. He has heaps to recount in this interview as he describes his experience as presenter as well as artistic and musical director.

"I believe classical music should be given more importance in the media and my idea is to provide one full hour to this genre - music by some of Malta's best musicians, interviews with leading Maltese musicians, discussions and an update on the local scene."

The programme's production team saw Ian Peter Bugeja scraping the idea of a studio programme in favour of location filming with an orchestra in tow. The 20-minute concerts will include a variety of genres - from a full orchestra to a solo, trio or duet. "I focused on some prime sites around Malta which I felt would lend suggestiveness to specific performances. I aim at visual appeal and a fairytale feel which helps to absorb the audience. I always say that it has to seem like a cake that looks so gorgeous that you do not want to eat it. My work, with the help of Christina Marie Borg, who is associate producer, has seen the involvement of my orchestra 'Magna Harmonia' which has a full complement of 40 members. Another invaluable collaborator has been the orchestra leader and my right hand musical advisor Augusto Quintano, who has been essential for the smooth running of the repertoire for the concerts where the orchestra will appear and was involved."

Allegro con Brio will be complemented with an info spot and the screening of famous international concerts which should add to the full appreciation of classical music in all its diversity. Certainly, Ian Peter Bugeja has already experimented with this himself; he started to play at the age of six and progressed from pianoforte through to organ and cello studies. His first public appearance materialised at age 13 and he was soon playing in established hotels - an experience which honed his ability to play confidently in public. The first TV appearance to effectively launch his presence in the media was on Showtime during which he played solo and got noticed immediately.

The 20-year-old has since been studying performance and specialising in conducting at the University of Malta. He recently completed an exclusive experience in St Petersburg in Russia. "After working with Italian conductor Maestro Ennio Nicotra, I received a great honour in being the first ever Maltese citizen to direct the St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal as well as in concert. The concert was held on 26 August at the Belosessky-Belozersky Palace. Rehearsals were full-day affairs with seven-hour stints playing the piano. It was a magnificent experience and the Russian audience responded very differently from the Maltese audience."

Ian Peter laments that in Malta people ‘worship’ foreigners which tends to cast local talent in the shadows. Proof of the value of local musicality was his recent participation in the Concorso Pianistico W.A. Mozart held in May 2009. "I placed second in this competition, but first prize went to another Maltese musician and the rest only got third and consolation prizes. They were very impressed with us."

He does admit however that there is certainly no substitute for experience, especially experience abroad, which is invaluable.

"I was amazed when members of the audience requested my signature on their programme. I was honoured by this. I find it difficult to merit a role of a maestro as I am too young for this and definitely do not merit it as yet. I feel more comfortable at least with the role of musical director and my early experience with the 'San Gwann Council Light Orchestra' certainly helped me to this effect."

Admitting to being a workaholic who drives everyone else crazy in order to reach the level of perfection he constantly seeks, this enterprising 20-year-old adores shopping for clothes in Paris with as much passion as he loves the music of the Baroque and early Romantic period. Yet he also enjoys 20th Century music, Mahler, Rachmaninov, Verdi and Puccini, Mozart for his quirkiness and sweetness, and plays Beethoven only when he is feeling temperamental.

Allegro con Brio will be screened on Favourite Channel on Wednesdays at 10pm.

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