Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Businessman and chairman of Dixon's, one of Britain's most successful high street retailers; founded his first enterprise at 10.
On the island
Eight records
Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by John Lanchbery
This is an annual event where uh the festive season where I take all my grandchildren. It's very emotional. It's arriving when we sit there and have the first bars and this play the children's faces light up.
I didn't have much of a youth. I was all into business very quickly, but this was a tune of the time. And so although I I wasn't one of the boys and sort of the scene, this was the one tune that I recollect of my youth.
Kolnidre is the introduction of Yon Kippur. It starts at dusk. The synagogues will be very crowded at this time. There will be an atmosphere. We're not going to eat for 25 hours. It's the moment of repentance, of self-analysis. And you go into the synagogue. And there's an atmosphere really of excitement and tension. And the cantor will then sing the opening bars of Kolnidre, which is a liturgical song, and it's about repentance. And this is the most emotional moment of the year for a Jew.
Having reached nearly 70, I start to think about my immortality. And this song by Frank Sinatra, My Way, in some way reflects a great life of a man who's been there, done that, and now beginning to think about the last phase of his life. I love his singing.
The Thieving Magpie (Overture)
London Classical Players, conducted by Roger Norrington
Well, this programme I seem to have a strong streak of nostalgia within me which I hadn't quite realized before. But what I wanted now to do is to get out of that mood and perhaps be a little bit more contemporary and wind myself up a little bit. So I I th I I fancy uh something from a scene. All his overtures are very exciting and noisy and I thought uh The Thieving Magpie.
Air on a G StringFavourite
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan
I do like writing a lot, but I can't write in silence. I like a background sound. And when I sit at a desk or a table with pen poised, I want a sound filling my mind which doesn't distract me from my thoughts. So I've chosen Air on a G string from Bach Suite No. 3, which I think is the most beautiful Adagio music.
Beim Schlafengehen (from Four Last Songs)
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin, conducted by George Szell
But I'm very keen on close your eyes music, things I can sit back, actually close my eyes, relax, and hear beautiful sounds drifting through the room. And so I've chosen Beim Schlaffer Geyen, which I think is beautifully sung by Elizabeth Schwarzkopf.
E lucevan le stelle (from Tosca)
Giuseppe Di Stefano, with the Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala Milan, conducted by Victor de Sabata
My last record is from my favourite opera, Tosca, and it's by Cavadosi, who realises he's shortly going to be shot. And it's a song about his reminiscences with his meeting with Tosca. And I think it is a very sad song. It's the type of song that I sometimes would like to sing to my wife when the time comes.
In conversation
Presenter asks
3:05What did he say, that headmaster?
What he said was that I'd been lucky to pass my exams. I'd taken in those days the matriculation exam, and he said I was lucky to have passed. I thought that was the most appalling comments you could ever put on a young man's report. It could have been disastrous if my career would have depended on showing that report.
Presenter asks
3:24Do you remember how it made you feel?
I remember it made me feel very bitter and angry. I really was furious that a headmaster could be so dismissive of a young man.
Presenter asks
9:47How important has your Jewish background been to you during life?
I think it's a total part of me. There's no aspect of my life that isn't continuously based on a Jewish attitude and philosophy.
Presenter asks
22:55How close were you to Margaret Thatcher?
No, I don't think I've had any influence whatsoever. I have had a good personal relationship with the Conservative Prime Ministers, but not close, but just uh working and understanding that I'm sympathetic and supportive of Conservative policy.
The keepsakes
The book
Adam Smith
I've always wanted to study it and read it, and I would love to be able to sit down and slowly work my way through it.
The luxury
I'm very keen on bridge and I'm very keen on playing cards, so I think I'd choose the cards.
Presenter asks
32:46How tough is that going to be for you [to retire at the end of next year]?
There probably will be a short emotional change, but I am prepared for it. I have a very full life and I do I always think forward. I'm a very positive thinker. I I'm not you brought out the nostalgia in me to day, but essentially I'm not a nostalgic person. I don't have I don't allow too much luxury of nostalgia. So I think forward on all the good things I can still do.
“I think that aggression is very much part of the philosophy of success. You do need to want to be successful. You do need to have an inner drive.”
“There's nothing I've ever done that hasn't been based on the history of the of the Talmud, of the way Jews have to behave in the world, in business. It totally dominates every single action I've ever taken.”
“I don't think the Internet is a serious form of business, quite frankly. I think the Internet overhead, when it's truly costed, is quite high.”