Sir Ernest Hall
Sue Lawley's castaway is businessman and musician Sir Ernest Hall.
Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the businessman Sir Ernest Hall.
His life is like a fairytale. From a sickly boy, living in the one room he and his family shared, he became a successful businessman and millionaire - and all because of an inspirational piece of music. Today on the site of an old carpet factory in Halifax, he's brought together his two loves - business and the arts - to form an environment in which plastic-bag manufacturers and building societies draw inspiration from the painters and sculptors who work alongside. At the age of 68 he has also realised his ambition to be a professional pianist.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: Piano Trio in B Major by Franz Schubert
Book: The collected works by William Blake
Luxury: Piano
Last on
Music Played
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Sergey Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor
Soloist: Sergei Rachmaninov Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra Conductor: Eugene Ormandy
- Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov.
- RCA Victor.
Castaway's Favourite
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Franz Schubert
Piano Trio No. 1 in B flat major
Soloist: Alfred Cortot, Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals
- Piano Trios by Beethoven and Schubert.
- EMI.
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Ferruccio Busoni
Piano Concerto (Op 39)
Soloist: John Ogdon Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Busoni Piano Concerto.
- EMI.
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Alban Berg
Lulu Suite -1st movement
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
- Vienna.
- Mercury.
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Bobby Wellins
I'm A Fool To Want You
Artist: Colin Purbrook, Dave Green & Clark Tracey
- The Satin Album.
- Jazzizit.
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Gegrusst sei, teurer Held (from Götterdämmerung)
Soloist: Deitrich Fischer-Dieskau Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic
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Scherzo in C sharp minor, Op. 39
Soloist: Sir Ernest Hall
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Steely Dan
Black Cow
- Aja.
- MCA.
Book Choice
The collected works - William Blake
Luxury Choice
Piano
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Sue Lawley |
| Interviewed Guest | Sir Ernest Hall |
Broadcasts
- Sun 26 Apr 199811:15BBC Radio 4
- Fri 1 May 199809:00BBC Radio 4
Featured in...
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Archive 1996-2000—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.






