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Last broadcast on Sun, 19 Jul 2009, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.
Sir Edward Downes
Conductor who has died aged 85
Sir Edward Downes was associate music director of the Royal Opera House and conducted 950 performances of 49 operas in Covent Garden. In 1970, he became music director of Australian Opera, and conducted the first performance in the Sydney Opera House. He enjoyed a particularly long relationship with the BBC Philharmonic, serving as its chief guest conductor, then principal conductor, and finally as conductor emeritus. He was Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Orchestra until 1983 and travelled widely as a guest conductor to opera houses and orchestras all over the world.
Sir Edward and his wife Joan chose to end their lives in a suicide clinic in Zurich.
Matthew Bannister talks to former General Director of the Royal Opera House, Sir John Tooley, former Principle double bass player in the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, John Bakewell and General Manager of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Wigley.
Sir Edward Downes was born 17 June 1924 and died 10 July 2009.
Earl Haig
Soldier and painter who has died aged 91
Earl Haig was a living link with the World War I. His father Douglas Haig commanded the British Expeditionary Force and was a national hero to some, but a villain to others. Earl Haig- always known as Dawyck Haig after his courtesy title – was only nine years old when his father died. Along with his title, he also inherited a prominent role in numerous remembrance commemorations.
On the outbreak of World War II, he became a soldier. He was captured in the Battle of El Alamein and held in a number of German prisoner of war camps, including the infamous Colditz Castle. During his imprisonment, he took up painting. After the war he studied at the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts and went on to hold fifteen one man exhibitions – the last of which marked his ninetieth birthday.
Matthew Bannister talks to Neil Griffith from Poppy Scotland Appeal and to Earl Haig’s art dealer Robin McClure.
Earl Haig was born 15 March 1918 and died on 10 July 2009.
Donald MacCormick
Broadcaster who has died aged 70
To television viewers in the 1970s and 80s, Donald MacCormick was the face of the BBC’s Tonight programme and its successor Newsnight. To his colleagues he was a consummate professional. Donald was born in Glasgow and studied at the University there. His contemporaries included an illustrious list of names who went on to successful political careers, among them the future Labour leader John Smith, Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell and Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine. After leaving university Donald taught English for five years before landing a job presenting a books programme on STV. He joined BBC Scotland as a current affairs presenter before making the move to London.
Matthew Bannister talks to Sir John Tusa, Peter Snow and Andrew Neil.
Donald McCormick was born 16 April 1939 and died 12 July 2009.
Naomi Lewis
Poet and writer who has died aged 97
Naomi Lewis was a poet, a critic and a campaigner for animal rights. But she is best remembered for her work on children’s literature. She admired Hans Christian Andersen and translated his work. She also published a number of anthologies and a book of her own poetry and reviewed for the New York Times, the Listener and the Times Literary and Educational supplements. Naomi was born in Great Yarmouth. Her father was a Latvian Jewish immigrant and her mother a gifted artist and musician. In later life she lived alone in a flat in London’s Bloomsbury and devoted her spare time to the care of animals.
Matthew Bannister talks to Naomi Lewis’ niece Gina Lewis and to critic Julia Eccleshare.
Naomi Lewis was born 3 September 1911 and died 5 July 5 2009.
Broadcasts
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Fri 17 Jul 200916:00
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Sun 19 Jul 200920:30
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