Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
An actor.
On the island
Eight records
St Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (Peter's Denial)Favourite
Peter Schreier, Anton Diakov, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan
The first one and the one that sprang to the top of my list was a small section of Bach's Passion According to St. Matthew. It's a little bit where Peter denies knowing Christ. And this seems to me to be the point at which divinity and humanity meets in a most remarkable way.
Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes: Dawn
Royal Opera House Orchestra, Benjamin Britten
This next record would be to remind me of the English countryside, of which I am very fond indeed, and a particular part of it. In East Anglia.
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
The next one is again on this rather nostalgic countryside theme. For no particular connections, but just because I very much like the sound of it.
Henryk Szeryng, English Chamber Orchestra
The fourth record will, I hope, remind me of a place that I've come to like immensely, and that's Venice. It's by Vivaldi, who was a Venetian composer, I believe, and he he wrote a piece called The Four Seasons, and this one is winter, and I love to think of myself skating up and down the canals.
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Pablo Casals, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
This one I'd like to be El Gar's cello concerto, and the recording by Casals. I think this is a very endearing recording, because he he grumbles and mutters away to himself while he's playing.
Nocturne in F minor, Op. 55 No. 1
This is one of Chopin's nocturnes, and it's one I particularly like, just for no other reason except that I like it. In fact, it's the one I've always thought. If I had any music played at my funeral, this is the one I should like.
I chose a little bit of grand opera because it seems to me to combine everything. It's the very sort of pinnacle of theatrical endeavour, it seems to me, and commands music, acting, singing, the human voice, everything.
Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595
Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
Oh, this is just sheer joy. And it's a piano concerto by Mozart. His last, I believe.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:52Could you endure loneliness?
Yes, I don't think it'd be too difficult for me. I quite like my own company. I've got a little cottage in the country, and sometimes I shoot off down there by myself.
Presenter asks
1:15Apart from being away from family and friends, what will be the worst thing about [being on a desert island]?
I think it would be the knowledge that I couldn't go and have a nice curry when I wanted one.
Presenter asks
1:26How important in your life is music?
Very important indeed.
Presenter asks
7:58What was your first job when you left school?
My very first job, um I tried to combine art with commerce. It was a rather naïve uh thing to try, and I didn't want to starve in a garret, you see. That held no attraction for me at all. And I found myself a job in the display department, and that's a rather grand way of saying I was a window dresser, in Lewis's, in Birmingham.
The keepsakes
The book
Some Experiences of an Irish R.M.
Somerville and Ross
I've decided eventually to take with me Somerville and Ross's Experiences of an Irish RM, which is one of the most delightful series of stories I have ever read, a minor classic.
The luxury
A painting: Boathouse at Dawn by Ivon Hitchens
I've decided to take a picture with me, and I want Ivan Hitchens's Boathouse at Dawn.
Presenter asks
31:01How efficient would you be at looking after yourself on this desert island?
Not too bad. ... I put up shelves and make cupboards. ... I wouldn't be a bad cast [away] ... I think probably not really [try to escape]. I'd be like AA Milnes. Old sailor. Wrapped himself up in a shawl and waited till he was rescued.
“I didn't ever consider music as a career because It is a very mathematical subject. I think it's probably necessary to know something about mathematics and being so totally non-mathematical as I thought, I thought that was not for me.”
“I suddenly thought, What an extraordinary idea to act for a living and that was in fact what I was best at at school, but as it was an extracurricular activity, it never occurred to me to try it as a career.”
“It's funny, the rather blinkered way I think that the people who employ one are inclined to look. You know, if you play villains all the time, you you get to play more villains, and if you play nice guys, you get more nice guys. Jews, Gentiles, and so on. You tend to get bracketed.”