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Sir John Burgh

Roy Plomley's castaway is Director-General of the British Council Sir John Burgh.

Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he worked his way from an aircraft factory, through the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Cabinet think tank and other Civil Service appointments to his present position, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Le Nozze Di Figaro Act 2 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Luxury: Transistor radio

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 14 Dec 1984 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Trio No. 1 in B flat major

    Orchestra: Trio Santoliquido

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Kyrie (from Requiem Mass)

    Soloist: Gedda, Ghiaurov, Schwarzkopf, Ludwig Orchestra: Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra Conductor: Carlo Giulini

  • Siegfried's Funeral March (from GΓ¶tterdΓ¤mmerung)

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Sir Georg Solti

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Finale, Act 2 (from Fidelio)

    Soloist: Christa Ludwig/Jon Vickers Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus Conductor: Otto Klemperer

  • Hector Berlioz

    The Trojans Act 4

    Soloist: Regine Crespin/Guy Chavet Orchestra: Paris Opera Orchestra Conductor: Georges Pretre

  • Benjamin Britten

    Requiem aeternam (from War Requiem)

    Choir: Highgate School Choir, Bach Choir Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Conductor: Benjamin Britten

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      The Marriage of Figaro Act 2

      Soloist: Thomas Allen, Kiri Te Kanawa Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Georg Solti

  • Christoph Willibald Gluck

    Orpheus and Euridice

    Soloist: Janet Baker Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Raymond Leppard

  • Book Choice

    • Encyclopaedia Britannica

  • Luxury Choice

    • Transistor radio

Credits

Presenter Roy Plomley
Interviewed Guest Sir John Burgh

Broadcasts

  • Sat 8 Dec 1984 18:25
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 14 Dec 1984 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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