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Michael Nyman

Sue Lawley's castaway is composer Michael Nyman.

Sue Lawley's guest this week is Michael Nyman. Said to be the best-selling classical composer in Britain, as a child visiting the opera or concert hall his imagination would be caught by a particularly pleasing sequence of notes. Later, he was to use these as inspiration for his own compositions. A Purcell manuscript inspired his music for the The Draughtsman's Contract. Scottish folk songs the soundtrack to The Piano.

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

Favourite track: Farewell (Das Lied von der Erde (the song of the Earth)) by Gustav Mahler
Book: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne
Luxury: A toilet

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 7 Jan 2000 09:00

Music Played

  • Okanawah

    Okanawah

    • Okanawah.
    • Toshiba Records.
  • Duane Eddy

    Because They're Young

    • Twangin’ from Phoenix to L.A.
    • Bear Family Records.
  • Henry Purcell

    What Power art thou? (Prelude while cold genius rises) (from King Arthur)

    Soloist: Petteri Salomaa Orchestra: Les Arts Florissants Conductor: William Christie

    • King Arthur.
    • Erato.
  • Bob Dylan

    Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

    • Blonde on Blonde.
    • CBS.
  • Cornelius Cardew

    Paragraph 7 from The Great Learning

    Orchestra: The Scratch Orchestra Conductor: Cornelius Cardew

    • The Great Learning.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Madamina, il catalogo Γ¨ questo (from Don Giovanni)

    Soloist: Michele Pertusi Orchestra: London Philharmoni Orchestra Conductor: George Solti

    • Don Giovanni.
    • Decca.
  • Silvestre Revueltas

    Sensemaya

    Soloist: Rince-Kay Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra Conductor: Eduardo Mata

    • Revueltas.
    • RCA.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Gustav Mahler

      Der Abschied (from Das Lied von der Erde)

      Soloist: Kathleen Ferrier Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Bruno Walter

      • Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde.
      • Decca.
  • Book Choice

    • Tristram Shandy - Laurence Sterne

  • Luxury Choice

    • A toilet

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Michael Nyman

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 Dec 1999 11:15
  • Fri 7 Jan 2000 09:00

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