Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
A string quartet formed in 1948, renowned for their enduring partnership and pre‑eminent chamber music performances.
On the island
Eight records
Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (opening of last movement)
Arturo Toscanini (conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Norbert Breinin's first choice. He said: 'I still remember every note and every inflection and every turn, every accent of this record.'
Voi che sapete (from Le nozze di Figaro)
Sigmund Nissel's first choice. No reason given in transcript.
Ach, ich fühl's (from Die Zauberflöte)
Tiana Lemnitz (soprano), Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor)
Peter Shiedloff's first choice. He said: 'It made a very great impression on me when I first heard this recording when I was at school here in the depths of Devonshire. When I heard uh this I thought this is the greatest music I've ever heard.'
Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (slow movement)
Martin Lovett's first choice. He said: 'every cellist admires Casals uh more than any other... Just to hear this wonderfully serene, slow movement from the Schumann concerto.'
String Quintet in C major, D. 956 (opening of slow movement)
Amadeus Quartet, William Pleeth (second cello)
Norbert Breinin's second choice. He said: 'probably the last major work that he wrote. And probably the greatest piece of chamber music ever written.'
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, D. 877 No. 4
Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano), Gerald Moore (piano)
Sigmund Nissel's second choice. He said: 'she's given me and my wife so many hours of greatest pleasure. I'd like to be reminded of those moments.'
Hilde Gueden (soprano), Clemens Krauss (conductor)
Peter Shiedloff's second choice. No reason given in transcript.
Mass in B minor, BWV 232 (Et resurrexit)
Martin Lovett's second choice. He said: 'I'm only sorry that I can't play more of my favourite composer Bach.'
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:59How long have you been together? And what was the date of your first concert?
The date of our first concert was tenth of january, nineteen forty eight, at the Wigmore Hall.
Presenter asks
2:13Why did you decide to come to Britain instead of going to France or Italy or wherever?
Well because I had family connections with England. Two of my uncles were living in England. They were and still are in the furrier business and as as they were in Vienna.
Presenter asks
2:34You were a newcomer from what had become an enemy country. I suppose you were interned, were you?
Yes, I was. interned first of all at a place in Shropshire which was called Prees Heath. … And this is where I met Peter.
Presenter asks
5:44How much music was there in the Isle of Man, in the camp?
The keepsakes
The book
Marcel Proust
because I think that would uh keep me busy for the rest of my life.
The luxury
projector and screen with a library of films
I love the cinema and I wonder if I could have a projector and a screen and a large library of film.
Oh, there was a great deal of music. In fact, one of the uh first things that were instituted was a house reserved for the use of musicians. … so it's a splendid time.
Presenter asks
11:12Whose idea was it to form a quartet?
We were sort of part of a student group and we were invited to play in amateurs houses and we sort of began to gravitate towards one another because we liked each other's playing.
Presenter asks
15:12What are your memories of that night, that sensational night in January 1948, Martin?
Well, it was nobody said it was sold out and it was really a a very uh thrilling uh experience altogether. Actually, I think we made some uh history there because I don't know how it got around that the quarter had been formed, but you know normally these debut recitals are half or quarter full. But in this case, it was not only full, but people were turned away and there was a queue outside.
“I still remember every note and every inflection and every turn, every accent of this record.”
“I thought this is the greatest music I've ever heard.”
“probably the last major work that he wrote. And probably the greatest piece of chamber music ever written.”
“a very, very moving experience to play at work, A, because the music is so wonderful, and and B, because … Ben was somehow convinced that he would never hear the first performance. And indeed he died a week before the first performance.”
“My wife always says that I am I'm really very capable, but uh as she puts it, I plead genius.”