Main content

Berthold Goldschmidt

Sue Lawley's castaway is composer and conductor Berthold Goldschmidt.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the composer and conductor Berthold Goldschmidt. Born in Hamburg 91 years ago, he enjoyed a brilliant early career working with many famous musicians in Germany and Russia. But he'll be telling Sue Lawley how, as a Jew, he was forced to flee the Nazis and take refuge in Britain. Sadly, the musical establishment of his adopted homeland found his music old-fashioned and neglected him until the 1980s, when his music started to be rediscovered and widely appreciated.

Now experiencing a highly-successful revival all over Europe and America, as well as having his work recorded and performed at the Proms, he is greatly enjoying his new-found recognition.

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

Favourite track: Goldberg Varations BWV 988 - No 26 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book: Joseph and His Brothers by Thomas Mann
Luxury: Vanity case including metal mirror and shaving kit

Download

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Jul 1995 09:05
BBC Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Next

Glenys Kinnock

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Leos Janáček

    Sinfonietta - 1st movement

    Orchestra: Czech Philharamonic Conductor: Karel Ancerl

    • Leos Janacek - Sinfonetta.
    • Fidelio.

  • Richard Strauss

    Der Rosenkavalier

    Soloist: Hilde Gueden, Sena Jurinac Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonica

    • Der Rosenkavalier.
    • Decca.

  • Arnold Schoenberg

    String Trio, Op. 45

    Soloist: Jan Popichal

    • Vienna String Trio.
    • Calig.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No. 10 in F sharp minor - Flute solo from 5th movement

    Orchestra: The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

    • Mahler Symphony No 10.
    • EMI.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Nocturne (from Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings)

    Soloist: Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra

    • Britten - Serenade/Les Illuminations/Nocturne.
    • Decca.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

      Goldberg variations - Variation No. 26

      Soloist: Andras Schiff

      • J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations.
      • Decca.

  • Hector Berlioz

    Romeo and Juliet

    Orchestra: the Montreal Symphony Orchestra

    • Berlioz - Romeo and Juliet.
    • Decca.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    A Midsummer Nights Dream Overture

    Orchestra: The Berlin Symphony Orchestra

    • Mendelssohn: A Middummer Night's Dream.
    • Decca.

  • Book Choice

    • Joseph and His Brothers - Thomas Mann

    • Luxury Choice

      • Vanity case including metal mirror and shaving kit

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Berthold Goldschmidt

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 Nov 1994 12:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 18 Nov 1994 09:05
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 28 Jul 1995 09:05
    BBC Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast

Similar programmes