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Lord Healey

Kirsty Young's castaway is the Labour peer and former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Healey.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the Labour peer and former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Healey. As a politician, he was known for his sharp intellect and biting oratory and now, as he approaches his 92nd birthday, those skills are still very much in evidence. He talks of his regret that his lack of ambition meant that he did not push himself further in politics but, he says, it is better for people to wonder why he wasn't Prime Minister than to wonder why he was.

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

Favourite track: The Cavatina from String Quartet No.13 in B flat Major by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: The Faber book of English verse
by John Hayward
Luxury: Very big box of chocolates including nougat.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 Jun 2009 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Sheep may safely graze (from Cantata No. 208)

    Orchestra: The London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Leonard Slatkin

    • Bach: The Conductors’ Transcriptions.
    • Chandos.

  • Kathleen Ferrier

    I Know Where I Am Going

    • Blow the Wind Southerly.
    • Decca.

  • Γ‰dith Piaf

    Milord

    • The Very Best of Edith Piaf.
    • Capitol.

  • Yves Montand

    Barbara

    • Chante Jacque Prevert/ Yves Montand.
    • Philips.

  • FrΓ©dΓ©ric Chopin

    Polanaise in A flat major, Op. 53 'Heroic'

    Soloist: Witold Malcuzynski

    • The 6 Polanaises - Malcuzynski.
    • Columbia.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major

    Soloist: Howard Shelley Orchestra: the London Mozart Players

    • Mozart: Piano Concertos Vol.6: Shelley/London Mozart Players.
    • Chandos.

  • Ella Fitzgerald

    Miss Otis Regrets

    • Love, Ella.
    • Verve.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op 130 - 5th movement

      Orchestra: The Busch Quartet

      • Beethoven: Quartets Op.59 No 1 & 130: Busch Quartet.
      • Sony Classical.

  • Book Choice

    • The Faber book of English verse - John Hayward

  • Luxury Choice

    • Very big box of chocolates including nougat

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Denis Healey

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Jun 2009 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 19 Jun 2009 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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