Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Desert Island Discs
Presented by Roy Plomley
An actor and director with a distinguished career in the theatre spanning over 60 years.
Eight records
Yes, it was written for the organ and my whole life has been dominated by the organ to a great extent because of my father's enthusiasm for it. not only in playing it, but in actually building organs.
The keepsakes
No book or luxury recorded for this episode.
In conversation
Presenter asks
Now, Sir Lewis, you're marooned on this island for an indefinite period. Are you an optimist?
No, I can't say that I can regard myself as an optimist. I generally have a feeling of apprehension of the worst. in approaching any project it has brought before me.
Presenter asks
You could endure loneliness, do you think?
Yes, I certainly think I could more now than I could in my youth.
Presenter asks
Is music important to you?
Yes, it's always been a part of my life. I've no instrument that I can play. But I've music has always been a hobby and an inspiration.
Presenter asks
Did you have any plan in selecting this very meagre allowance of eight records that may have to last the rest of your life?
The recording
Timestamps play the recording from that turn
Speaker 2
This download is the only extract the BBC has of this edition of Desertin and Discs.
Speaker 2
Desert Island Discs
Speaker 2
Each week a well-known person is asked the question, if you were to be cast away alone on a desert island, which aid gramophone records would you choose to have with you?
Speaker 2
As usual, the castaway is introduced by Roy Plumley.
Presenter
Uh
Speaker 2
How do you
Presenter
Hello, ladies and gentlemen.
Presenter
Our Castaway this week is an actor and director whose very distinguished career in the theatre dates back over 60 years.
Presenter
It's Sir Lewis Castle.
Presenter
Now, Sir Lewis, you're marooned on this island for an indefinite period. Are you an optimist?
Sir Lewis Casson
No, I can't say that I can regard myself as an optimist.
Sir Lewis Casson
I generally have a feeling of apprehension of the worst.
Sir Lewis Casson
in approaching any project it has brought before me.
Presenter
Oh, we'll try to get you off this island as quickly as we can. You could endure loneliness, do you think?
Sir Lewis Casson
Yes, I certainly think I could more now than I could in my youth. Is music important to you? Yes, it's always been a part of my life. I've no instrument that I can play. But I've music has always been a hobby and an inspiration.
Presenter
Did you have any plan in selecting this very meagre allowance of eight records that may have to last the rest of your life?
Sir Lewis Casson
Well
Sir Lewis Casson
As I'm getting quite old now, I've tended to look back in a nostalgic way to my youth and the part that music has played in that.
Presenter
Mm-hmm.
Presenter
What's the first record?
Sir Lewis Casson
Bach's to Carter in D minor.
Sir Lewis Casson
Why do you choose this?
Sir Lewis Casson
Because I think it's the finest music I've ever heard and I'm ever likely to hear.
Presenter
You would like it on the organ?
Sir Lewis Casson
Yes, it was written for the organ and my whole life has been dominated by the organ to a great extent because of my father's enthusiasm for it.
Sir Lewis Casson
not only in playing it, but in actually building organs.
Presenter
Well let's listen to the toccata in D minor.
Well … As I'm getting quite old now, I've tended to look back in a nostalgic way to my youth and the part that music has played in that.
“No, I can't say that I can regard myself as an optimist. I generally have a feeling of apprehension of the worst.”
“Yes, I certainly think I could more now than I could in my youth.”
“Yes, it's always been a part of my life. I've no instrument that I can play. But I've music has always been a hobby and an inspiration.”
“Because I think it's the finest music I've ever heard and I'm ever likely to hear.”
“Yes, it was written for the organ and my whole life has been dominated by the organ to a great extent because of my father's enthusiasm for it. not only in playing it, but in actually building organs.”