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Sir Isaiah Berlin

Sue Lawley's castaway is historian and philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is philosopher and historian Sir Isaiah Berlin. Born in Latvia 80 years ago, he was brought to England by his family when he was ten years old and barely able to speak English. He is now internationally regarded as one of the most brilliant scholars of his age.

He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his early years in Russia, his commitment to, and respect for, this country, and explaining the philosophical implications of liberalism - his guiding principle for 60 years.

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

Favourite track: String Quartet in C Sharp Minor Op 131 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: Works, prose and verse by Aleksandr Pushkin
Luxury: Large armchair stacked with cushions

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 21 Nov 1997 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Modest Mussorgsky

    Clock Scene (from Boris Godunov)

    Soloist: Feodor Chaliapin Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Max Steimann

    • Russian Arias.
    • CFP.

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Ah, fors' Γ¨ lui (from La traviata)

    Soloist: Renata Tebaldi Orchestra: The Orchestra Of The Academy Of St Cecilla Conductor: Fransesco Molinari-Pradelli

    • Verdi: La Traviata.
    • Decca.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major - 2nd movement

    Soloist: Alexander Schneider, Isaac Stern Orchestra: The English Chamber Orchestra

    • Bach - Violin Concerti - Bernstein/Schneider.
    • CBS.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111

    Soloist: Arthur Schnabel

    • Beethoven - Piano Sonatas - Arthur Schnabel.
    • EMI.

  • Gioachino Rossini

    The Italian Girl in Algiers Overture

    Orchestra: The Philharmonic Orchestra Of New York Conductor: Arturo Toscanini

    • Toscanini & The Nypso.
    • Pearl.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      String Quartet No.14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131

      Orchestra: The Busch Quartet

      • Beethoven String Quartets Nos 11 & 14.
      • HMV.

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960 -2nd movement

    Soloist: Alfred Brendel

    • Schubert Piano Sonata In B Flat.
    • Phillips.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    L'ho perduta (from The Marriage of Figaro)

    Soloist: Margaret Price Orchestra: The New Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Otto Klemperer

    • Mozart; Le Nozze Di Figaro.
    • EMI.

  • Book Choice

    • Works, prose and verse - Aleksandr Pushkin

  • Luxury Choice

    • Large armchair stacked with cushions

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Sir Isaiah Berlin

Broadcasts

  • Sun 15 Mar 1992 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 20 Mar 1992 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 19 Apr 1992 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 24 Apr 1992 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 16 Nov 1997 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 21 Nov 1997 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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