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William Davis

Michael Parkinson's castaway is journalist William Davis.

This week’s castaway is the author, columnist and broadcaster William Davis. The former editor of Punch started his career as a financial journalist and his many roles have included working for Lord Beaverbrook, presenting the World at One and founding a successful publishing company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson he looks back over his childhood in wartime Germany and life in post-war Britain, 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: The Ode To Joy (Symphony No 9) by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: The Dictionary by Dr Samuel Johnson
Luxury: Telescope

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40 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 Feb 198809:05
BBC Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral' - Ode to Joy

      Choir: Vienna State Opera Chorus

  • Luciano Pavarotti

    Maria, Mari

  • Red Army Ensemble

    Kalinka

  • Neil Diamond

    Beautiful Noise

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen (from The Magic Flute)

    Soloist: Gottfried Hornik Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Sleeping Beauty Capriccio Italien

    Orchestra: Paris Conservatoire Orchestra Conductor: Carl Schuricht

  • Carl Orff

    Floret silva (from Carmina Burana)

    Choir: Chicago Symphony Chorus

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) (from Nabucco)

    Soloist: Nicolai Ghiaurov

  • Book Choice

    • The Dictionary - Dr Samuel Johnson

  • Luxury Choice

    • Telescope

Credits

PresenterMichael Parkinson
Interviewed GuestWilliam Davis

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Feb 198812:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 19 Feb 198809:05
    BBC Radio 4

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