‘You’ll never be short of money if you can play piano’

DAVID Brophy is one of Ireland’s top conductors. He has performed with numerous Irish and international artists including the British tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson; the late Irish uilleann piper, Liam O’Flynn; Riverdance; and U2.

Brophy is a former principal conductor of the RTE Concert Orchestra. He will conduct the RTE Concert Orchestra in its New Year’s Eve Gala,

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, this New Year’s Eve at the National Concert Hall.

What’s the most important lesson about money which your career as a musician has taught you?

That money is necessary — but possibly not as important as you might think.

What’s your favourite song about money?

Money Makes Me Crazy by Blur.

What’s the most expensive country you ever visited?

Can I say Ireland? Every country I have visited seems less expensive than Ireland!

What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a musical equipment?

My piano is the most expensive item of musical equipment I own. It’s a Yamaha Upright piano, which I bought about 26 years ago. No idea how much I paid for it, but I remember it being expensive enough at the time.

What’s your favourite Irish coin?

I like the old pre-Euro coins that I remember being familiar when I was growing up. They had animals on one side — a flying bird, a horse, a pig and so on — with the harp on the other. They were so simple — yet elegant and striking.

Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

A car.

What was your worst job?

I am extremely lucky as I have always enjoyed so much of my work — from the time I was working in Goodwin’s Music Store on Capel Street (when I was in my late teens) to all of my work today.

What was your biggest financial mistake?

Not persuading my parents to give me hard cash instead of buying me a ‘gift’ of Eircom shares.

What was your best financial killing?

I backed Sandy Lyle to win the US Masters in 1988 at pretty long odds.

Are you better off than your parents?

I probably earn more money than my dad did, but I doubt that I’m better off.

If you won the Euromillions, what would you do with the money?

I never buy lottery tickets, so there is no hope of me winning the Euromillions.

What’s the best advice you ever got about money — and who gave it to you?

My dad always said: “If you can play the piano, you’ll never be short of money.” Even though I no longer earn a living as a pianist, I still reckon that it was probably pretty sound advice.

Have you ever made an insurance claim?

Yes, I have made a health insurance claim.

iTunes or Spotify?

Neither. It’s CDs and records for me.

What was the last thing you bought online?

A flight.

Would you buy property now?

No. So much property in Dublin surely must be overinflated given the asking prices being sought today.

Do you ever haggle?

Yes, I do from time to time. Can’t remember now, but I reckon my best deal was on a car purchase at some stage.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?

Shelter, food and clothes.