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Michael Tilson Thomas

Sue Lawley's castaway is conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is the American conductor and virtuoso Michael Tilson Thomas. As well as being an internationally recognised musician, his passion for music and his desire to bring his own enthusiasm to as wide an audience as possible have made him something of a television star in America. In this country, he has been principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra for nearly two years, and has been called the most exciting American conductor since Leonard Bernstein.

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

Favourite track: Vespers by Claudio Monteverdi
Book: Collected Poems by Raine Maria Rilke
Luxury: Yamaha computerised concert grand piano

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 16 Feb 1990 09:05

Music Played

  • Franz Schubert

    Der Lindenbaum (from Winterreise)

    Soloist: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

    • Schubert: Winterreise.
    • CBS.
  • Richard Strauss

    Ein Heldenleben

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    • R; Strauss Ein Heldenleben.
    • CBS.
  • Ella Fitzgerald

    'S Wonderful (from Funny Face)

    • Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George & Ira Gershwin.
    • Verve.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Claudio Monteverdi

      Vespers 1610

      Orchestra: The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra

      • Vespro Della Beata Vergine.
      • Decca.
  • Robert Schumann

    Kreisleriana

    Soloist: Vladimir Horowitz

    • Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana.
    • CBS.
  • Josquin des Prez

    Missa Pange Lingua

    Orchestra: The Tallis Scholars

    • Des Pres: Missa Pange Lingua.
    • Gimell.
  • Mahalia Jackson

    Come Sunday

    Artist: Duke Ellington & Orchestra

    • Black, Brown And Beige.
    • CBS.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Violin Concerto in D major

    Orchestra: The Berlin State Opera Orchestra Soloist: Fritz Kreisler

    • The Art Of Fritz Kreisler.
    • The Strad.
  • Book Choice

    • Collected Poems - Raine Maria Rilke

  • Luxury Choice

    • Yamaha computerised concert grand piano

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Michael Tilson Thomas

Broadcasts

  • Sun 11 Feb 1990 12:15
  • Fri 16 Feb 1990 09:05

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