Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Opera singer acclaimed for her great and beautiful voice in opera houses and concert halls worldwide.
On the island
Eight records
I would want to take at any rate one record from Opera. It would be Wagner. That I can sing myself without the help of a gramophone. Yes, indeed. So for my desert island I would like something else. And I think this is my favorite part of any non-Wagnerian opera.
Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream
That's been my favorite for years and years. Mendelssohn's Music to the Midsummer Night Stream, conducted by Sir Thomas Peacher. ... Entirely to do with Mendelson and Sir Thomas.
Archduke Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97
Alfred Cortot, Jacques Thibaud, Pablo Casals
In my home I used to hearing a lot of champagne music. And I remember my brother used the opening bars of this trio as an overture when we acted our childish theatrical plays.
Ingemisco from Messa da Requiem
My next choice is from [Verdi's] requiem, one of my favorite [works]. The Inchimisko and sung by my favourite tenor, Jusip Jolin. I never get tired of listening to that one.
O mio babbino caro from Gianni SchicchiFavourite
It's the most charming piece of music and charmingly sung.
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58
I think I would settle for the part of the sonata number three in B minor. [The pianist is] Inulipati [Horowitz]. It gives to Chopin such a clean and clear interpretation, I think.
My favorite secret of hers is Du Park's L'Amitation avoyage.
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
That must be my native composer Grigg, and a part of his famous piano concerto in A minor. And played by Walter Gieserking.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:49What do you think about this desert island proposition?
Not much. I feel rather like Toscanini did when he was asked in an American radio programme which one opera score he would choose to have with him on a desktop. He said if he was only allowed one, he would drown himself right away.
Presenter asks
2:19Why did you choose the trio from Rosenkavalier as your first record?
I would want to take at any rate one record from Opera. It would be Wagner. That I can sing myself without the help of a gramophone. Yes, indeed. So for my desert island I would like something else. And I think this is my favorite part of any non-Wagnerian opera.
Presenter asks
2:35Did you ever meet Richard Strauss?
I once sang the solo part in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Bayreuth under this direction. But he wouldn't have remembered that though. I wonder.
Presenter asks
3:43Did you learn any instrument yourself as a child?
The keepsakes
The book
Not recorded.
Well, I played the piano, but not very not very well. But I'm going to take it up again.
Presenter asks
4:16How would you cope with life on a desert island? Would you be able to look after yourself, do you think?
I don't think I would be very good at it. I wouldn't mind the solitude, but ... That wouldn't worry me at all. I like to be alone. ... Well, I think I could light the fire all right. I had my reading spectacles with me. I could use them as a burning glass, couldn't I? ... I don't know anything about cooking though. But I like raw food. And raw fish, which we use quite a lot in Norway. Oysters and shrimp.
“I feel rather like Toscanini did when he was asked in an American radio programme which one opera score he would choose to have with him on a desktop. He said if he was only allowed one, he would drown himself right away.”
“I would want to take at any rate one record from Opera. It would be Wagner. That I can sing myself without the help of a gramophone.”
“I think I could light the fire all right. I had my reading spectacles with me. I could use them as a burning glass, couldn't I?”
“I don't want a tropical island. I want a nice cold island, somewhere in the northern hemisphere.”