Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
2 appearances
A knighted musician celebrating his 90th birthday, known for early musical talent and composing at age seven.
On the island
Eight records
GUEST mentions performing this in difficult conditions during the war, but there is no verbatim reason or quote given for it being a disc choice.
In conversation
Presenter asks
3:56Looking back over your career, which have been the most exciting musical occasions?
Oh, I think really the coronations. The first performance, of course, of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. That was a that was a a great night in in the old Queen's Hall. And then I had some very impressive concerts in New York when I was asked. Play some new British works. with the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall. In 1939, it was a sort of tribute from the British Council to the World's Fair.
Presenter asks
4:37Which works are you proudest of having given the first performance of?
Oh, I think the Vaughan Williams symphonies, really.
Presenter asks
4:42Are British composers getting a wider hearing now than they used to?
Oh, most certainly, very much so. I think all over the world it's recognized now that we are producing. First rate composers and their work is worth hearing.
The keepsakes
The luxury
Panama hat filled with barley sugar
There'll be a very, very tropical sun. I must have a hat of some kind.
“We went to Bristol first. Of course, rather a short time before we were bombed out of Bristol, we had to, on one night, I remember, perform Borodine's second symphony, the light of a few hurricane lamps. The orchestra clustered round and managed to look at the beat, too, somehow. I don't know how they did it.”
“I prefer to try and say fresh things to the same people rather than say the same things to fresh people.”