Violinist and conductor Patrick Rafter is artistic director of Marble City Music Festival, which takes place in Kilkenny from May 8th to 15th.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I’m a bit of both. You have to spend money to make money, don’t you? I have always been quite practical in lifestyle choices, but sometimes I’m a big child who likes gadgets.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
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It was from busking at the age of 10, so the amount of money varied. I wanted to have money to buy as many hurls and sliotars as possible, so busking gave me that revenue stream. Then I became a little bit more responsible and started thinking of buying a fancy violin.
Do you shop around for better value?
Absolutely. I will take the time to research before making purchases. That said, sometimes research is a rabbit hole, and can become overly complicated. I remember I spent eight weeks thinking about running footwear. I listened to every podcast on the topic and read every article. It can be never-ending. Ultimately, simplicity is key.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
I would say a few items here. I am a violinist who is very privileged to play on really exceptional instruments. My violin bow cost around €25,000, and unfortunately, the violin cost a lot more. They are, however, necessary to my craft and my growth as a musician, and they are superb items to invest in.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
Lots of smaller items, which I now ask myself if I actually needed.
Do you haggle over prices?
I have a great time in flea markets, making my poor wife or friends cringe with embarrassment. I do love a good old haggle. However, where there are artisanal Christmas markets and such, selling handmade products, I would never haggle.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I am very ignorant of cryptocurrency and I am also quite wary, but whether that is the lack of understanding or instinct, I’m not sure. Also, with various suggestive investing apps now, it is too easy to lose money. I think there should be a lot more education on this from the ground up.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
My life is music, I could not live without it. This is not a job, but a vocation, and I don’t intend to retire. As someone relatively new to conducting, I think I will only start to know what I am doing by the time I am in my 60s or 70s. I have been paying into a pension but, more importantly, I’m building a collection of instruments for use if I need them later in life.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
The last thing I bought was a beautiful dress for our daughter’s first birthday. Given the amount of joy it will bring to my family and me, it is beyond good value.
Have you ever successfully saved for a big purchase?
Yes. My first violin, bought at the age of 12, was €10,000. It took me months of busking around the ages of 12/13 to pay for it. The busking taught me two things. Firstly, discipline, and secondly, that if you play loud enough, Irish people are very generous.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
That’s a loaded question, but I think in life we have to take risks. Being a control freak, I have learned to let go and enjoy this incredible journey. In terms of putting money in horses and the like, absolutely not. That is a very slippery slope, and I have yet to see the statistics backing up a reason to partake.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My worst habit, I would say, is that sometimes I am penny-wise, pound-foolish. It took me a while to learn that time is money. My best habit is that I cut my cloth to measure. Ultimately, money doesn’t change how I feel about myself.
How much money do you have on you now?
Not enough to fix a broken string mid-concert, which is one of the few financial metrics that I consistently know only too well. There might be enough for some baby food! We had a beautiful little daughter last year, so I know those prices fairly well.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
