“Maestro” – A Novel by Bram Gay

Published by Michael O’Mara Books Ltd 1996.
O.K. this isn’t War and Peace but it’s a damn site better than the last offering of literary note to cover the high powered world of the symphony orchestra as described by one Miss Jilly Cooper.

I bet there aren't too many of you out there who knew that the little man from the Rhondda had released this symphonic bonkbuster, but even given it's somewhat convoluted plot line it beats Miss Coopers effort hands down – even in the bedroom stakes.

A story of a young man from the Welsh valleys whose talents leads him to the top of his profession, through a combination of rare genius on the rostrum and even rarer performance techniques in the sack should make for interesting reading, but your mind is somewhat inextricably drawn to your image of the author throughout.

Bram Gay is a talented man, small in stature but big in achievements in the banding and symphonic world. However, he's no Robert Redford and even though this isn't an autobiography, one wonders how much of the story is based on what Bram Gay has done, and what he would have loved to have done in his chosen profession.

It is as stated, a work of fiction. Pity that – I've always found short Welsh cornet players to be somewhat irresistible to female admirers myself (in my dreams). Look in hospital bookshops and car boot sales to see if you can get your grubby hands on a copy.

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