Mathematics and music are inescapably tied. What is music if not the arrangement of patterns of sounds, and the composers score not much more than a formula used to represent an abstract idea? It may not take a mathematician to create a thing of beauty, but, as Ian Clarke discovered, it certainly helps.

“Maths is a pattern based world as well; you’re interested in patterns and how things fit together; anomalies and how the world works in a very deep sense and, actually, it turns out it is quite a creative area – there are more parallels with music than you might think. It’s not necessarily ‘can I count?’ My counting isn’t necessarily good as a mathematician; it’s what you do with ideas and concepts. So while I don’t sit there and use the kind of raw mathematics I learnt at university, there is a crossover in thought process and perhaps the way you view things.”

Performer, composer and entrepreneur, Clarke started his formal musical career in a manner familiar to many artists – that is to, with nothing to do with music. A mathematician by training, Clarke spent his late teens immersed in academia and performing in various bands and orchestras, nurturing a hobby that would come to dramatically change the course of his life. It didn’t take long before the music overtook the math.

“I decided that I wasn’t really sure I wanted to be a mathematician … and I kind of took a break from my math degree. I went back and finished it, but in my break I practiced the flute and piano…”

Since then Ian Clarkes career has diversified into a well-rounded composer, working on both film and TV music and the more traditional, classic works. His studio, Diva Music, continues to provide top quality music in collaboration with Simon Painter, and commissions for various companies have provided Clarke with the ideal outlet for his creative talent; well received works such as Zoom Tube and the Great Train Race show off the amazing talent of Clarke and the level of ability required to do his work justice. Clarke is currently working on his second album, the successor to ‘Within’ and hopes to continue production of as of yet unfinished compositions and works.

Through all his success I get the feeling that Clarke is someone who can grasp an opportunity as it comes and make the most out of any situation. An unalienable passion for the flute and the desire to give something not yet seen to the fluting world has become an incredible driver for this entrepreneur.

“I suppose I’m a bit of a flute nut, and I just love playing the flute. Basically I just love picking that instrument up and doing my thing. That’s really what I’ve always wanted to do…”

(For a CD review by Ingrid Culliford of Ian Clarke's 'Within' click here)

You can read more about Ian Clarke, hear sound samples of his music and purchase his rerodings at http://www.ianclarke.net

James O'Brien is 21, living in Auckland, NZ, and has written for Flute Focus for several years. He has received training in piano, tuba and voice and is an accomplished musical theorist. James has spent most of his life writing in a variety of styles and is currently studying full time at Auckland University.