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Simon Rattle

Kirsty Young's castaway is conductor Simon Rattle.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Sir Simon Rattle. For the past five years he has been Principal Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic - regarded by many as the finest symphony orchestra in the world. He is only the sixth person to hold the position in 120 years and is the first Briton to take on the challenge.

Growing up in Liverpool in the 1960s, while other youngsters were listening to The Beatles, he was transfixed by Mahler and was determined to become a conductor. His talent was prodigious. He won an international conducting competition aged just 19 and so, with plenty of enthusiasm but scant experience, began his career. Initially because of his youth, his approach was collaborative rather than autocratic and it has been a style that brought tremendous results during his 18-year association with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He insists that his approach with the Berlin Philharmonic is about teamwork too - but concedes that it is an orchestra that contains some very strong characters and very big egos.

He tells Kirsty how, choosing his Desert Island Discs, he has been drawn towards music that expressed joy and pain in equal measure.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Scherza Infida from Ariodante by George Frideric Handel
Book: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Luxury: Italian coffee machine and grinder.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 18 Jan 2008 09:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No. 9 in D major - 1st movement

    Orchestra: The Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Simon Rattle

    • Mahler’s 9th Symphony: Simon Rattle.
    • EMI Classics.

  • Joni Mitchell

    Sometimes I'm Happy

    • Both Sides Now.
    • Reprise.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major - 1st movement

    Soloist: Giardino Armonico

    • J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 1-6.
    • WCJ.

  • Leos JanÑček

    The Cunning Little Vixen Act 3 (finale)

    Soloist: Dalibor Jedlicka & Peter Saray Orchestra: The Vienna Philharmonic Conductor: Sir Charles Mackerras.

    • The Cunning Little Vixen.
    • Decca.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Serenade No. 10 in B flat major for 13 Wind Instruments - 3rd movement

    Orchestra: The Berlin Philharmonic

    • Mozart: Serenade KV361.
    • Orfeo.

  • Joseph Haydn

    The great work is completed (from The Creation)

    Choir: Arnold Schoenberg Choir Orchestra: The Vienna Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt

    • Haydn: Schopfung.
    • Teldec.

  • Robert Schumann

    Sleep on and rest in dreams (from Paradise and the Peri)

    Soloist: Barbara Bonney Choir: The Monteverdi Choir Orchestra: The Revolutionary & Romantic Orchestra Conductor: John Eliot Gardiner

    • Schumann: Das Paradies & Die Peri.
    • Archiv.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • George Frideric Handel

      Scherza infida (from Ariodante)

      Soloist: Magdalena KozenΓ‘

      • Ah Mio cor! / Handel Arias KozenΓ‘ /Venice Baroque Orchestra.
      • Archiv Production.

  • Book Choice

    • Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes

  • Luxury Choice

    • Italian coffee machine and grinder

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Sir Simon Rattle

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 Jan 2008 11:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 18 Jan 2008 09:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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