Historic archive of Desert Island Discs on R4 podcasts

[Sir Velo]

Interesting to see which guests, outside the world of classical music performers and composers, evince the most sophisticated taste in music appreciation. From my listening so far, particularly impressed with the selections of Alec Clifton Taylor, cricketer Mike Brearley, actor Robert Hardy, and David Attenborough (1979).

A surprising number of musicians chose compositions they didn't know among their choices (e.g. Boult's selection of Simpson's symphonies; Rattle's choice of Beethoven's C Sharp minor qt; etc).

The other thing one notes is the diminution of classical pieces (other than Bolero, Dance of the Knights etc) in the guests' choices as we go through the years. For example, Delius, who gets about 50 requests before 1980, features on only one guest list since.

[salymap]

I used to have DID on my favourites but it's disappeared in one of the changes that have occured.

Could someone please give me the correct heading to click on. Ta very much,if so.

[eighthobstruction]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/find-a-castaway

[antongould]

Interesting to see which guests, outside the world of classical music performers and composers, evince the most sophisticated taste in music appreciation. From my listening so far, particularly impressed with the selections of Alec Clifton Taylor, cricketer Mike Brearley, actor Robert Hardy, and David Attenborough (1979).

A surprising number of musicians chose compositions they didn't know among their choices (e.g. Boult's selection of Simpson's symphonies; Rattle's choice of Beethoven's C Sharp minor qt; etc).

The other thing one notes is the diminution of classical pieces (other than Bolero, Dance of the Knights etc) in the guests' choices as we go through the years. For example, Delius, who gets about 50 requests before 1980, features on only one guest list since.

Thank you for reminding me of this treasure trove Sir V. It is indeed wonderful - to start me off and in the spirit of inclusivity - with Lady Gould - we listened to Sir T Wogan, who was wonderful, and surprisingly chose two opera pieces and a Russian Orthodox Choir.

[Lordgeous]

Its a fascinating archive. Among George Malcolm's selection was The Trumpet Volunteer (Peter Sellers)!

[antongould]

Still dipping into this archive occasionally and finding some fascinating stuff - recently Sir Edward Downes ...sadly no music just the story of his slow but very determined climb to the top. Today Michael Nyman with interesting views on how IHHO the classical music establishment treats composers of film scores!! Also if I heard it right he termed the Birtwhistle school Nazis!!!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Today Michael Nyman with interesting views on how IHHO the classical music establishment treats composers of film scores!! Also if I heard it right he termed the Birtwistle school Nazis!!!

I wonder if this means he now refuses to accept the royalties from Down by the Greenwood Tree, Music by Birtwistle, libretto by Nyman (the best thing he's done, followed by his book on Experimental Music). His attitude has changed: in the 1990s he frequently bragged how he'd introduced Reich and Birtwistle, and how the latter's Music was influenced as a result.

[antongould]

No he admitted to be very comfortably off - although in bad times he had taken lettuce from rubbish bins to make lettuce soup - but other than Caliban, haven't we all? Worth a listen, as I, as ever, was not fully aware of the "back story".