Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Art historian who holds the office of Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures.
On the island
Eight records
Bunthorne's Song (from Patience)
I was very, very fond of Gilbert M'Sullivan as a boy. I can think my whole childhood was spent is summed up for me by these records.
I was, in my early days, employed on the land. I worked in the farm in Essex, and I've had a great affection always for English country songs.
The Band of the Grenadier Guards
I've always loved military music, and I've been fascinated always by the seventeenth century.
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467: II. Andante
Daniel Barenboim and the English Chamber Orchestra
My favourite composer by a very long way is Mozart ... a piece of music I find myself putting on repeatedly in different moods, perhaps particularly after a long day with the BBC.
I attempt from love's sickness to fly (from The Indian Queen)
I've always had a great affection for the music of Purcell. Again, he worked in the period I'm particularly fond of, and I love the voice of Alfred Deller.
The Marriage of Figaro: Sull'aria... che soave zeffiretto (Letter Duet)Favourite
Lisa Della Casa and Hilde Gueden
Mozart is my favorite composer by a very long way, and in his work my particular passion is for the marriage of Figaro.
Symphony No. 100 in G major, 'Military': II. Allegretto
Antal Doráti and the Philharmonia Hungarica
I'm devoted to the symphonies of Haydn, and in particular to symphony number 100, the Military Symphony.
Let's Make an Opera: Coaching Song (The Final Chorus)
I particularly associate Britton with his work for children, and I'd like to be reminded of a very, very happy afternoon we spent listening with my two eldest daughters, and they're very small, to that marvellous work, Let's Make an Opera.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:32Could you adapt yourself to loneliness on this island?
I'm very happy in my own company. Uh I don't like living on my own, but I could spend quite a lot of time on the island without being bored, I think.
Presenter asks
0:44How big a part does music play in your life?
I'm no performer. I love listening to music. Uh all my life I've adored the gramophone. From my earliest days the gramophone has been my most one of my most continuous pleasures and my children happily enjoy music. Some of them are good at it so music plays an increasingly large part. An enjoyment in my life, certainly.
Presenter asks
2:09When did you first become interested in pictures?
I drew a great deal as a child, and I read a great deal as a child, and my first awareness of pictures came, I think, when I realized that pictures, especially portraits, I illustrated the books I was particularly fond of. I think I first was fond of pictures and I realized that I could see in pictures the characters, for example, from the Three Musketeers. So my love of pictures really grew from my interest in history.
The keepsakes
The book
Jane Austen
When I read those first lines, Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, I get the same frisson of pleasure as I do when I hear the overture of the marriage of Figaro beginning.
The luxury
sketch book, pencil, and pen and ink
Provided the island had a certain amount of scenery, some plants, possibly some birds, some rocks, I think I would take my sketch book, a pencil, and a pen and ink.
Presenter asks
2:25Did you ever have ambitions to be an artist yourself?
But I drew, as I say, an enormous amount as a child, and I drew and tried to paint a great deal right up to the end of the wall. Um sadly, in some ways, I dropped that when I took up my job and moved into the art historical field. I have never made a living at it. I now once again happily draw a lot. But I had thought seriously as a boy, and as a grown up indeed, that I would try and earn my living in the arts.
Presenter asks
5:21How big is the [Royal] collection?
It's enormous. It's difficult really to provide an exact figure. I suppose something like 5,000 items are listed as pictures in our vials.
Presenter asks
18:13Do you have any outdoor hobbies or occupations that might be useful on this desert island?
I spend all my spare time out of doors. I garden or agriculturally labour a great part of my time. I used to be very, very fond of cricket. I now merely, almost only, watch it. And I have taken up golf again, for which I have an absolute passion.
“I first was fond of pictures and I realized that I could see in pictures the characters, for example, from the Three Musketeers. So my love of pictures really grew from my interest in history.”
“I've always had a great affection for the music of Purcell. Again, he worked in the period I'm particularly fond of, and I love the voice of Alfred Deller.”
“I'd make the stipulation: the Bible must be King James's version. Any modern version would be thrown into the sea.”