My Way: Pianist Barry Douglas gives his career tips

'You must practise, and have integrity', Interview by Caitlin Davies, Published: 06 September 2007

Barry Douglas OBE has had an international career as a pianist since winning the gold medal at the Tchaikovsky piano competition in Moscow in 1986. He is the founder of Camerata Ireland, an all-Irish chamber orchestra. The third and final disc in their CD recordings of Beethoven's complete Piano Concertos will be released on 26 November.

What did you realistically think you'd end up doing? I had no idea. I wanted to be a musician but not in a million years did I think I'd achieve that. At school I was advised to be a doctor, which my mum wanted, too, so I did science at school and hated every second of it.

How did you become a pianist? I first heard the piano being played at school and I asked my parents for one. A neighbour gave us one and I began lessons when I was four, attending the Belfast School of Music from the age of six. But meeting Felicitas LeWinter at 16 really inspired me; she made me work. Until then I'd been lazy. At 18, I got a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London.

Do you consider yourself successful? In some ways, yes. The other day I did a concert in Florida which was a great success. At that moment I felt good, but the moment passes, and you have to think what to do next.

What's the best decision you ever made? A guy called Michael Emerson approached me after a competition and said, " I'm about to become president of RCA, come with me." I did. After my first recordings he said, "Now you'll never have to travel economy class again." Another important decision was to set up Camerata Ireland: that helped me develop an ambition to work with an orchestra permanently.

What's your single biggest regret? Sometimes I don't assert myself and say what I really want.

What are your interview tips? I'm constantly on the lookout for young musicians and staff for Camerata Ireland. I seek intelligence, passion and humanity. Music needs people who are creative and efficient and the two don't go together that often.

What motivates you? Making music and performing in public. As I grow older I don't work as much, I think more about it and I read the music more.

Who are your heroes? The Russian pianist Emil Gilels, whom I saw when I was at the Royal College of Music. I was inspired from that moment on. He had such controlled passion.

How do I get to be where you are? You must practise, and you need integrity. Performers can be flashy on stage but have no substance.