Owain Arwel Hughes

Owain Arwel Hughes, OBE CBE, is one of the world's foremost conductors. Having recorded and performed with leading orchestras including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia Halle Orchestra and many throughout Scandinavia, his career of over forty year has seen him share centre stage with some of the world's greatest performers from Julian Lloyd Webber to Bryn Terfel, Pavarotti to Shirley Bassey, and has brought him into contact with a wide array of personalities - Prime Ministers, royalty, Church leaders and sports stars. Now, in his open, honest and entertaining autobiography, prompted by the catastrophic events of 9/11, Owain takes a look back at the events and people that have shaped and influenced his life and the occasions when, despite adversity, the show had to go on...

For over forty years Owain Arwel Hughes has been at the forefront of British musical life. He has a fascinating tale to tell and he tells it with the same easy going charm and professionalism that has always characterised his music making. Julian Lloyd Webber Having experienced Owain's perfectly paced conducting, it is little wonder that his book is of the same tempo. Readers are in for a virtuoso performance with this autobiography. Matthew Rhys It was one of the greatest privileges of my rugby life to meet Owain in Edinburgh at a Scotland / Wales rugby match. It was wonderful to know that the great conductor and musician loved rugby with a passion. I always delight in the fact that gifted players from another walk of life should enjoy my passion for rugby especially those from the Arts, of writers and poets, of composers and performing artists of musical talent. Owain is the true embodiment of such a cross-over. Gerald Davies, former Wales and British Lions rugby legend Owain Arwel Hughes brings to his role as conductor, an enthusiasm and joy which is infectious. This book gives a fascinating insight into his life and music making and enables us to understand what inspires him as a musician, and to share the sheer pleasure that he finds in the world of music. I commend it warmly.