Professor Eric Hobsbawm

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the historian Professor Eric Hobsbawm. A life-long Communist and author of a series of books on the history of the 19th century which is regarded by many as a seminal work of scholarship, he has now turned his attention to the 20th century. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his views on the major historical events of the century, its future and his part in it.

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

Choices

1.

Charlie Parker

Parker's Mood

Others who chose this artist

2.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Cantata No. 80: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott

Orchestra: The Vienna Chamber Orchestra And Academic Choir

Others who chose this artist

3.

Franz Schubert

String Quintet in C major - 1st movement

Soloist: Milton Katims, Pablo Casals, Alexander Schneider

Others who chose this artist

4.

Billie Holiday

He's Funny That Way

Others who chose this artist

5.

Jacques Offenbach

Orpheus in the Underworld

Orchestra: The Paris Philharmonic Orchestra

Others who chose this artist

6.

Vincenzo Bellini

Casta diva (from Norma)

Soloist: Maria Callas Orchestra: La Scala Milan

Others who chose this artist

7.

Castaway's favourite

Kenny Barron Trio

Slow Grind

Others who chose this artist

8.

Gustav Mahler

Der Abschied (from Das Lied von der Erde)

Soloist: Kathleen Ferrier Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonica

Others who chose this artist

Book

Canto General by Pablo Neruda

Others who chose this author

Luxury item

Binoculars

Others who chose a similar luxury