For the ninth instalment of Pet Projects we are delighted to welcome artist, cellist and children’s author Margit van der Zwan to the show. Based in Lancashire, Margit was born in the Netherlands but has Hungarian roots through her grandma – and therein lies a link to her distinctive pet: a Magic Roundabout remix who is an expert at shepherding her music students to the piano – as well as putting them at ease.

In the course of a highly entertaining chat, Margit reflects on some of her adventures – including touring with pop band Elbow, introducing her wonderful picture book ‘I love my maracas!’ to leg-hugging young readers, and learning to play the musical saw (as well as designing a card game) during lockdown.

She also looks ahead to her forthcoming art exhibition, ‘All Made Up’, which runs in Clitheroe from 22 February 2025, and we discuss her own unique musical compositions, excerpts of which are included in the show at the following points: ‘Hearts Hearts’ (38:20), ‘The World’ (46:48), ‘White Van’ (01:00:00) and ‘Een Fijne Melodie’ (01:06:50).

Thanks so much for coming on the show, Margit! As always, there was much to learn from a wonderful new guest – both about the arts (classical/contemporary string music this time) and about those dawg-gone animals…

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo, who provides the artwork and video content. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes and elsewhere. If you’re enjoying the podcast please like, subscribe and share.

Links to discussion points/project info:

Margit’s website: https://margitvanderzwan.com

Margit’s musical book for c. 3-year-olds, ‘I love my maracas!’: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1819613555/i-love-my-maracas-childrens-story-book

Details of Margit’s forthcoming exhibition, ‘All Made Up’: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5q3OaAC2A/

Margit’s own music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcy3pHO-OoOBXgfabWXgcHA

Quartet for Two – a podcast based on Margit’s card game: https://quartetfortwo.weebly.com

Carlo Curley, classical organist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Curley

Borrow my Doggy website: https://www.borrowmydoggy.com

Emily Sandé, singer with whom Margit shared the stage at The Royal Albert Hall: https://emelisande.com

Dame Evelyn Glennie, famous percussionist: https://www.evelyn.co.uk

Arthur and George – book by Julian Barnes: https://www.julianbarnes.com/books/arthur.html

Kassia, Byzantine composer who came up when we shuffled the cards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ipNUTtDYU