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David Tang

Michael Berkeley talks to entrepreneur David Tang about his musical passions, his love of playing the piano and the importance of forging links between Britain and China.

David Tang arrived in Britain from Hong Kong aged 13 and not speaking a word of English. Since then he has thoroughly embraced Britishness, and the British have thoroughly embraced him, culminating in a knighthood and a prime place in the Queen's Jubilee flotilla.

His business interests range from fashion through clubs and restaurants, cigars, oil exploration and now his lifestyle store aimed at the new Chinese middle class called Tang Tang Tang Tang (sung to the opening of Beethoven's Fifth!)

Tirelessly sociable and keenly philanthropic, he also finds time to be the agony uncle for the Financial Times, answering such painful dilemmas as the etiquette of airport frisking, and when it might be acceptable to not wear socks.

One of Sir David's greatest passions is music, and he is a highly accomplished pianist, having started to learn at sixteen. Very soon he was playing Brahms, Debussy and Messiaen, composers he's chosen for this programme.

Producer: Jane Greenwood
A Loftus Production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3.

Available now

32 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Oct 2015 12:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Olivier Messiaen

    Premiere communion de la Vierge (Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jesus)

    Performer: Yvonne Loriod.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    A Sea Symphony (1st mvt: A Song for All Seas, All Ships)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Hickox.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Violin Sonata in F major (Spring) (1st mvt: Allegro)

    Performer: Anne‐Sophie Mutter. Performer: Lambert Orkis.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Symphony No.2 in E minor (3rd mvt: Adagio)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: AndrΓ© Previn.

  • Claude Debussy

    String Quartet in G minor, Op.10 (3rd mvt: Andantino)

    Ensemble: LaSalle Quartet.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony no.6 in A minor (3rd mvt: Andante moderato)

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Concerto no.1 in D minor, Op.15 (1st mvt: Maestoso)

    Orchestra: Bavarian R S O. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.

Broadcast

  • Sun 11 Oct 2015 12:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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