Dr Jonathan Miller

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is Dr Jonathan Miller. Jonathan Miller has been an influential and prolific force in British intellectual life since the 1960s. A writer, theatre and opera director and explainer of science to the public, he's had not one career, but several, and is seemingly capable of endlessly reinventing himself - as a scientist, a director, a television presenter, a writer, a film-maker and, more recently, a sculptor.

Whilst still a medical student he received an invitation which changed the course of his life and career - to take part in a sketch show called Beyond the Fringe, which was to go to the Edinburgh Festival. Jonathan was never to return to science full-time, as invitations to direct began to come in. He went on to become a leading theatre and opera director, celebrated for productions which included Tosca, set in Mussolini's Italy, and a mobster Rigoletto. This career alone would be regarded by many as more than sufficient, but Jonathan Miller combined it with making films and presenting television programmes.

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

Choices

1.

Bobbie Gentry

Ode to Billie Joe

Others who chose this artist

2.

Eric Coates

Calling All Workers

Artist: Chappell recorded Music Library

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3.

Anton Karas

The Harry Lime Theme (from The Third Man)

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4.

Dinah Shaw

Yes, My Darling Daughter

5.

Comedian Harmonists

Wochenend und Sonnenschein (Happy Days are Here Again)

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6.

Ravi Shankar

Music over closing credits

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7.

The Beach Boys

Surfin’ USA

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8.

Castaway's favourite

Johann Sebastian Bach

Goldberg Variations - Aria

Soloist: Glenn Gould

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Book

The Invertebrates by Libbie Henrietta Hyman

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Luxury item

Canvas roll containing dissecting set

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Roy Plomley's castaway is director Dr Jonathan Miller.

Choices

1.

Batteries Et Musique De La Garde République

Sambre Et Meuse

2.

Franz Schubert

Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (The Shepherd on the Rock), D965

Soloist: Margaret Ritchie, Gervase De Payer, George Malcolm

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3.

Henry Purcell

Sound the trumpet (from Birthday Ode 'Come ye sons of art away')

Soloist: Alfred Deller, John Whitworth

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4.

The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

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5.

Domenico Scarlatti

Harpsichord Sonata in E major

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6.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Goldberg variations

Soloist: Charles Rosen

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7.

Castaway's favourite

Ludwig van Beethoven

String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130

Orchestra: Amadeus String Quartet

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8.

Lead Belly

Goodnight Irene

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Book

The Road To Xanadu by John Livingstone Lowe

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Luxury item

Razor

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