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Dame Beryl Grey

Sue Lawley's castaway is ballerina Dame Beryl Grey.

This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is the ballerina, Dame Beryl Grey. When she joined Sadlers Wells at 14 she quickly took on leading roles and became Britain's first 'Baby Ballerina'. In the late 1950s she left the Royal Ballet to pursue a glittering freelance career - becoming the first Western ballerina to perform at the Bolshoi. In conversation with Sue Lawley, she talks about her life and work and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: The Beginning of the Third Movement by Jean Sibelius
Book: This Sceptred Isle by Christopher Lee
Luxury: Box of watercolour paints

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Mar 2002 09:00

Music Played

  • Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major - 1st movement

    Soloist: Shura Cherkassky Orchestra: The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

    • Piano Concerto No 2 in G Major.
    • Philips.
  • Giacomo Puccini

    In questa Reggia (from Turandot)

    Soloist: Eva Turner Choir: ROH Chorus Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

    • Turandot.
    • EMI.
  • Scott Joplin

    The Entertainer

    Soloist: Marvin Hamlisch

    • The Sting.
    • MCA.
  • Und mild sang die Nachtigall (from The Gypsy Baron)

    Soloist: Lucia Popp, Peter Seiffert Choir: Bavarian Radio Choir Orchestra: Munich Radio Orchestra Conductor: Placido Domingo

  • Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Overture

    Orchestra: Rusian National Orchestra Conductor: Mikhail Pletnev

    • The Sleeping Beauty.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Arthur Sullivan/Mackerras

    Pas de Deux (from Pineapple Poll)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

    • The Lady and the Fool.
    • Classics For Pleasure.
  • Georges Bizet

    Nous avons en tΓͺte un affaire (from Carmen)

    Soloist: T Berganza, G Sandison, G Pogson, A Nafe, & Yvonne Kenny Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Claudio Abbado

    • Carmen.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Jean Sibelius

      The Beginning of the Third Movement

      Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Conductor: Lorin Maazel

      • Symphony No 3 in C major.
      • Decca.
  • Book Choice

    • This Sceptred Isle - Christopher Lee

  • Luxury Choice

    • Box of watercolour paints

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Beryl Grey

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Mar 2002 11:15
  • Fri 15 Mar 2002 09:00

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