Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
An author, journalist and scriptwriter, best known for the long-running BBC scrapbook series.
On the island
Eight records
Philharmonia Orchestra, Ephraim Kurtz
it reminds me of just this, a great evening. It was after the last war was over when I took my wife and children to see this ballet newly presented with Fontaine at Covent Garden.
This old tune has a sort of sweetly sparkling setting, like the early morning in the Cotswolds when the mist softly rises in the valleys.
Jane Asher, Norman Shelley, Ian Wallace
It would cheer me up when betting glum on my desert island because I can imagine myself playing this bit where Alice meets the griffon and the mock turtle on the shore of her never-never see.
Let's have one to remind me of my twenties youth.
Huddersfield Choral Society, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent
To remind me of all this, I'd like a disc of the Huddersfield choir singing in their wonderful fashion something from Messiah, because this work is surely one of the wonders of the world and would lift up my island spirits.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Mackerras
in order to have the lion's share of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, I choose the brilliantly arranged medley of tunes from them by Charles McCarris for the ballet Pineapple Poll.
Violin Concerto (second movement)
I know this to some extent, but not nearly enough.
Piano Concerto No. 2Favourite
Benno Moiseiwitsch, Philharmonia Orchestra, Hugo Rignold
I walked into another world.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:03Do you think you could adapt yourself to the isolation of a desert island?
I think this would be very difficult.
Presenter asks
4:42What was it your first ambition to be?
Well, the first thing I ever did, looking that way, was to write and edit and produce a magazine. It was called the BFM. Dailies, Fortnightly Magazine.
Presenter asks
9:00How did the scrapbook program start? Was it a sudden flash of inspiration or did they evolve out of something else?
They evolved out of several other things coming together, different ideas.
Presenter asks
10:19You've come up with many scoops in these programmes. Which one are you proudest of?
I think the biggest was Marconi telling the story of his sending the first wireless signal across the Atlantic in 1901.
The keepsakes
The luxury
full set of woodworkers' tools
These could be very useful ... My father, my grandfather, my great and my great great grandfather were all skilled craftsmen in wood and metal. And sometimes I feel as a journalist that by not following such a profession, I have deserted a rich family tradition.
Presenter asks
18:28What are your hobbies?
Oh, uh painting and sailing.
Presenter asks
22:46If you could only have one record, which would it be?
I think the Red Man are not.
“I dislike background music.”
“I think this would be very difficult.”
“I sold the fruit too cheaply.”
“I walked into another world.”
“I think I'd like a full set of woodworkers' tools.”