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Leonard Slatkin

Sue Lawley's castaway is conductor Leonard Slatkin.

This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is the conductor Leonard Slatkin. An American, he is about to take on the mantle of chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Renouned for his championing of both the American and British cannons, his aim has always been to demystify music of all kinds. He has spun discs on a pirate radio station and played honky tonk piano in a jazz bar. His parents' Hollywood String Quartet was the best known band in town and the Slatkin household was often filled with film stars. From these two influences he developed his love of chamber music and a passion for Doris Day. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he talks about his life and work and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Danny Boy by Percy Grainger
Book: Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
Luxury: Wine

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45 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Apr 200009:00
BBC Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Frank Sinatra

    In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning

    • In the Wee Small Hours.
    • Capitol.

  • The Hollywood String Quartet

    Sehr Ruhig (Stanza 5)

    • The Hollywood String Quartet.
    • Testament.

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor

    Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Serge Koussevitzky

    • The Heifetz Collection Vol. 4.
    • RCA.

  • The Singers Unlimited

    The Fool On The Hill

    • Compact Jazz.
    • MPS Records.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

    Performer: Alexander Gavrylyuk. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

    Soloist: Leon Fleisher Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra

    • Great Pianists of 20th Century.
    • Philips.

  • Michel Camilo

    Why Not?

    • Why Not?.
    • Electric Bird.

  • Terry Riley

    A Rainbow in Curved Air

    • A Rainbow in Curved Air.
    • Columbia.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Percy Grainger

      Danny Boy

      Orchestra: St.Louis Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Slatkin

      • Leonard Slatkin: Saint Louis.
      • Telarc.

  • Book Choice

    • Notes of a Native Son - James Baldwin

  • Luxury Choice

    • Wine

Credits

PresenterSue Lawley
Interviewed GuestLeonard Slatkin

Broadcasts

  • Sun 23 Apr 200011:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 28 Apr 200009:00
    BBC Radio 4

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