It is hard to believe that one man could have had so much influence on the musical life not only of the United Kingdom, but of Europe and beyond. Yet the pages of this delightful memoir reveal the extent to which John Manduell's extraordinary vision, his willingness to venture into unknown territory, his ability to think the unthinkable, his wisdom and his persuasiveness have helped to raise the profile of music in so many areas. His establishment of the Music Programme at the BBC, his creation of a Music Department at Lancaster University, his founding and running of one of the most exciting conservatoires in the UK, the RNCM, his artistic direction of the Cheltenham Music Festival, his involvement with the British Council, the Arts Council, European Music Year, Northern Ballet, the European Opera Centre, Covent Garden are all described with a clarity, a disarming modesty and, very often, a gentle humour. We also learn about John Manduell the composer from an appreciation by fellow composer Anthony Gilbert. This volume will give enormous pleasure not only to all those who have had the good fortune to know John Manduell, but also to those who are interested in learning about one of the leading figures in British and European music in the second half of the twentieth century.