Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Internationally renowned violinist who also directed one of the most popular light music orchestras in Britain.
On the island
Eight records
In conversation
Presenter asks
3:33Was your father a musician? A violinist?
Yes, he was the leader of the Santa Sicilia orchestra in Rome and a professor at the Conservatoire. My mother was a well-known dramatic soprano. She had a fine big voice, with a wide range, and was acclaimed as the greatest Aida of her day in Italy.
Presenter asks
10:26How did your early days turn out? Did you have hard struggles, or did you find things fairly easy?
Well, there are very few musicians who don't have hard struggles at some time or another. I didn't have mine in my very early days. You see, I was considered a prodigy. During the First World War, at the age of nine, I gave over 100 concerts organized by the YMCA for the wounded soldiers. And by the age of 13, Hyde won six First Prizes and two gold medals at various London music festivals. And on the strength of all that. I was taken under the wing of the late Lionel Powell. and he sent me on concert tours with Clerabaut. Melba and others. And I also gave a number of recitals in London. In fact, you were doing very nicely. Oh, very nicely indeed. But uh unfortunately it didn't last. The slump of the twenties hit the concert world very hard. And I was grateful to get a job in a cinema orchestra. Accompanying Assigned Pictures. Then then hearts and flowers is probably a very familiar tune to you. As you say. Where did this and what job lead you? Well, it led me to some serious thinking. and I came to the conclusion that there was a greater measure of security in light music than there was in serious music. I badly needed that security. So I formed my light music orchestra and promised myself that it was to be only a temporary measure.
The keepsakes
No book or luxury recorded for this episode.
Presenter asks
12:31What happened then?
The war came along and Enza asked me to take part in concerts for the troops, hospitals, factory workers and so on. You know, it was most gratifying to discover that the demand was for the more serious type of music. Good. And since then I've been able to play only the sort of music that I wanted to play. I have been lucky enough to tour many parts of the world and have some even more wonderful tours lined up for the near future.
Presenter asks
15:19How would you face up to this desert island inexperience, do you think? Could you look after yourself efficiently under those circumstances?
Well, I'm afraid I wouldn't be very good. Uh No, I'm not very proficient at doing things with my hands. It dates back to my youth when I was never allowed to handle a hammer or to do any carpentering in case I hurt my fingers. I'd have to start more or less from scratch.
Presenter asks
19:58What would you like as your luxury article? You can take any one object you like to your island, but nothing useful.
Well, what about a football to help me to keep fit, but you're not allowed to play football on my own? Oh well, I'm allowed to play football on my own, but not with other people. That makes me the perfect desert island footballer. Good night, everyone.
“My mother was a well-known dramatic soprano. She had a fine big voice, with a wide range, and was acclaimed as the greatest Aida of her day in Italy.”
“I remember one of my father's favourite stories was how Toscanini got his first chance. It was in Rome, about 1890, the beginning of the opera season. The first production was to be Ada. and a famous conductor of the day named Mugnone was in charge. Twenty four hours before the curtain was due to rise, Mugnone had a violent disagreement with the management. ... Then a little man sprang up from the cello section of the orchestra and said 'If you're in trouble... I know the opera. I could conduct it tomorrow night.' ... He got the job. He was a huge success. And his name? Arturatos Canadians.”
“I adored my music, but I hated being ordered to give up football at the age of 15. I'd always been keen on sport. And for my age I was showing a fair amount of promise as a soccer player.”
“I had the privilege of being taught by Melbourne Inman. Which got me off on the right foot. And a good friend of mine is that great artist of the queue, Joe Davis.”
“Well naturally my career is very important to me and on that desert island I would like a reminder of the standard I'd reached when I was cast away. You know you can't do any practicing on a desert island. So in all modesty, I would include one of my own records.”