Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Former chorister at St Paul's Cathedral who became a chorus master and accompanist for the BBC, and worked with Toscanini.
On the island
Eight records
I think I should like to remember that by hearing Hedel Nash sing the dream song.
Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125: IV. Presto – Allegro assai (Ode to Joy)
It really illustrates what I mean. It's part of Beethoven's Chorus Symphony. The last movement. Where the Bay's service comes in with his great restitive and says let's not have any more of this humming and haring, let's get on with the song of joy.
Polly Garter's Song (from Under Milk Wood)
I should like to recall Wales. I remember when I announced at the breakfast table that we were going to Liverpool. My two daughters, who were about 12 and 10 then, wept into their porridge because they loved living in South Wales so much. So I'd like to hear Polly Garter song of Manda Milkwood.
Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond (Spring Song)Favourite
I think Wagner is one of the greatest composers. And if I were on that island I'd like to have something to remind me of the grand sweep and scope of his music. And I think I would take the Spring song, which is sung by Siegmund in the first act of Die Vauquira.
Quatuor pour la fin du temps: V. Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus
Well, I've chosen this because it's by a not dead composer, Messiar. A piece which he wrote when he was a prisoner of war in Poland. It shows what amazing tranquility can be achieved by a great composer, under difficult circumstances, It's the fifth movement of his quartet The End of Time. in which the cello and piano are heard alone.
Ein Heldenleben: closing section
I have the most Carti. Admiration and loving memories of Sir Thomas Beacham. I'd like to take. Something that he'd recorded with me. After a lot of thought, I've chosen the very end of Strauss's tone poem, Einhildendeben, A Hero's Life.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:21Do you come from a musical family?
Not really. I think somewhere way back there was a famous singer. Ada Crossley in our family. But my mother was a nice singer of ballads. Yes, played the piano nicely, but uh not really musical.
Presenter asks
3:13Was Toscanini a difficult man?
I think he was a difficult man in that he was very fiery. Because he couldn't understand English, was apt to think that if anybody said anything they were being rude to him.
Presenter asks
3:29How did he compare with Beecham?
He used to call Beecham Arlachino or Pagliaccio. And Beecham used to refer to him either as poor old Toscanini or a military bandmaster. So I think they they were both fire and brimstone people, but beecham had more charm.
Presenter asks
6:34Was it hard work when you took over the BBC Northern Orchestra?
It was terrifically hard work because I suppose we did five broadcasts a week and I used to conduct them all in those days. We didn't have any guest conductors.
The keepsakes
No book or luxury recorded for this episode.
Presenter asks
14:11How do you fancy yourself as a castaway in the practical sense? Do you think you would be good?
I think in in time I would. I'm not particularly practical. I'm rather bad with my m with my hands. My fingers are all thumbs. And I have a platform being a lovely person, I've got to be a practical wife.
Presenter asks
14:30Is good living important to you? Could you survive on basic reasons?
Oh, yes, absolutely absolutely. Quite easily live on really basic thing.
“I had my first season to get at the Proms as a present. And the first year, I was 12, I think. In the first season, I went to 41 out of the 42 concerts that year.”
“I think I should like to remember that by hearing Hedel Nash sing the dream song.”
“When we got the sack, we all got together and decided we couldn't let the orchestra finish, so we formed a new orchestra called the Bowman Symphony Orchestra.”
“I think Wagner is one of the greatest composers. And if I were on that island I'd like to have something to remind me of the grand sweep and scope of his music.”
“It shows what amazing tranquility can be achieved by a great composer, under difficult circumstances.”
“I remember old Tommy, with the tears streaming down his face as he conducted this last couple of pages of this score.”