Main content

Bernard Levin

Michael Parkinson's castaway is journalist and critic Bernard Levin.

"Music would be absolutely essential on my desert island" says Bernard Levin, "I don't know what my life would be without music". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career as a journalist and critic and, in narrowing his choice of music to eight records, reveals a penchant for opera.

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

Book: The Michelin Guide to France
Luxury: Laptop computer

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 30 Oct 1987 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Sir James Callaghan

Next

Bamber Gascoigne

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    The Magic Flute Act 1

    Soloist: Pilar Lorengar

  • Die Meistersinger von NΓΌrnberg Act 3

    Orchestra: German State Orchestra and Chorus

  • Franz Schubert

    Der Musensohn, D764

    Soloist: Fritz Wunderlich

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Falstaff

    Soloist: Geraint Evans

  • Giacomo Puccini

    In questa Reggia (from Turandot)

    Soloist: Dame Eva Turner (with Orchestra)

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53

    Soloist: Alfred Brendel

  • William Shakespeare

    My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun (Sonnet No. 130)

    Artist: Sir John Gielgud

  • George Frideric Handel

    I know that my Redeemer liveth (from Messiah)

    Soloist: Kiri Te Kanawa

  • Book Choice

    • The Michelin Guide to France

  • Luxury Choice

    • Laptop computer

Credits

Presenter Michael Parkinson
Interviewed Guest Bernard Levin

Broadcasts

  • Sun 25 Oct 1987 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 30 Oct 1987 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast