Dame Fanny Waterman
Kirsty Young's castaway is Dame Fanny Waterman, founder of Leeds International Piano competition.
Kirsty Young's castaway is Dame Fanny Waterman.
It was during a sleepless night, more than forty years ago, that she came up with the idea of launching a piano competition in Leeds. Since then it's become a world renowned event and been a springboard for many of our most celebrated pianists including Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia.
Although she is now 90 years old, she still teaches masterclasses and continues to be involved with every detail of the competition. "They call me Field Marshal Fanny" she says, "I am a busy breeches."
Record: Radu Lupu- Piano Concerto No.3
Book: The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith
Luxury: A grand piano and a stool.
Last on
Music Played
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
II Andante, Concerto No.21 for Piano & Orchestra
Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra Conductor: Murray Perahia
- Perahia Plays and Conducts Mozart.
- CBS Masterworks.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
The opening of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G
Orchestra: The Academy of St Martin in the Fields Conductor: Neville Marriner
- Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos, Nos. 1, 2 & 3.
- Philips.
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Felix Mendelssohn
Perpetuum Mobile in C
Soloist: Benjamin Frith
- Piano Works Vol.1.
- Naxos.
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Benjamin Britten
Dawn
Orchestra: Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Conductor: Bernard Haitink
- Peter Grimes.
- EMI.
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Robert Schumann
Seit ich ihn gesehen - The moment II saw him, I was blind
Soloist: Dame Janet Baker
- Sheherazade.
- EMI.
Castaway's Favourite
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor
Soloist: Radu Lupu Orchestra: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Zubin Mehta
- Beethoven: Piano Concertos 3 & 4.
- Decca.
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Franz Schubert
The opening of the second movement of Piano Trio No.1 in B Flat
Orchestra: The Beaux Arts Trio
- Schubert: Piano Trio No.1.
- Philips.
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Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 2 in D major
Orchestra: Royal Concertgrbouw Orchestra Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
- Brahms: Symphony No.2.
- Decca.
Book Choice
The Diary of a Nobody - George Grossmith
Luxury Choice
Grand piano and a stool
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Kirsty Young |
| Interviewed Guest | Fanny Waterman |
Broadcasts
- Sun 4 Jul 201011:15BBC Radio 4
- Fri 9 Jul 201009:00BBC Radio 4
Featured in...
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Archive 2005-2010—Desert Island Discs
Guests are invited to choose the eight records they would take to a desert island
Podcast
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Desert Island Discs
Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.






