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Vernon Scannell

Michael Parkinson's castaway is writer and poet Vernon Scannell.

Vernon Scannell's colourful career has included prize-fighting, a controversial spell in the Army, confinement to a mental institution for insisting on becoming a writer and a subsequent award of a civil list pension for his services to literature. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on these aspects of his life and also selects the eight records to take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book: Compiled anthology of English poetry
Luxury: Enormous amount of A4 paper

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40 minutes

Last on

Fri 4 Dec 198709:05
BBC Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No. 4 In G major

    Soloist: Murray Perahia Orchestra: Concertgebouw Orchestra Conductor: Bernard Haitink

    • CBS.

  • César Franck

    Violin Sonata in A major

    Soloist: Shlomo Mintz, Yefim Bronfman

  • Jean Sibelius

    Violin Concerto in D minor

    Soloist: Itzhak Perlman Orchestra: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Andre Previn

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Clarinet Quintet in A major

    Soloist: Andrew Marriner Orchestra: Chilingirian String Quartet

  • Richard Strauss

    September (from Four Last Songs)

    Soloist: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Orchestra: Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Conductor: George Szell

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

      St Matthew Passion

      Soloist: Edith Mathis, Peter Schreier, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskay Orchestra: Munchener Bach Orchestra and Choir

  • Edward Elgar

    Cello Concerto in E minor

    Soloist: Jacqueline du Pre Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli

    • Elgar:Cello Concerto.Sea Pictures-Du Pre.
    • EMI.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Alto Rhapsody

    Soloist: Kathleen Ferrier Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Clements Krauss

  • Book Choice

    • Compiled anthology of English poetry

  • Luxury Choice

    • Enormous amount of A4 paper

Credits

PresenterMichael Parkinson
Interviewed GuestVernon Scannell

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 Nov 198712:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 4 Dec 198709:05
    BBC Radio 4

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