á Propos

Our local fish shop in Copenhagen's Østerbro is excellent - wonderful fresh produce including (of course) smoked fish and various types of marinated herring, all at very good prices. It's the only shop where I try and speak Danish, because they don't speak English. They must be doing a good trade - they're only open three and half days a week and soon they'll be starting their annual six-week summer holiday!

The best lunch: several varieties of herring and warm-smoked salmon on home-made bread - preferably eaten in the garden of our summer house after a morning of musical work. Better still when accompanied by beer and aquavit - and then it's best not to take the afternoon too seriously.

When the sun shines the light is brilliant and lingers for hours. But we've had so much rain this June and the countryside is full of little lakes.

My current musical diet? Steve Martland and Haydn.