Michael Nyman - Desert Island Discs

What this episode covers

Sue Lawley's guest this week is Michael Nyman. Said to be the best-selling classical composer in Britain, as a child visiting the opera or concert hall his imagination would be caught by a particularly pleasing sequence of notes. Later, he was to use these as inspiration for his own compositions. A Purcell manuscript inspired his music for the The Draughtsman's Contract. Scottish folk songs the soundtrack to The Piano.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Farewell (Das Lied von der Erde (the song of the Earth)) by Gustav Mahler Book: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne Luxury: A toilet

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

ROOTED Ep 10: Dana François - W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Haiti)

May 10, 2026 ·62m

Marc Henshaw - To Get, Gain and Obtain

May 4, 2026 ·43m

ROOTED Ep 9: Dr. Renée Rattray - Island Futures (Broader Caribbean)

May 3, 2026 ·67m

Kevin Dowling - Not All Debt Is The Same

Apr 27, 2026 ·63m

ROOTED Ep 8: Florence Jean-Louis Vorbe - PROFAMIL (Haiti)

Apr 26, 2026 ·46m

Introducing: Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles

Apr 21, 2026 ·26m

Similar Podcasts

Epic: Silver Wing Realm EPIC is your new HQ for Realm’s exhilarating action and adventure stories, with new episodes dropping every Monday introduced by host Faith McQuinn.Embark on your greatest adventures yet, whether it’s crash landing on a desolate planet with only a cerebrally-embedded AI to guide you, or realizing that your latest game design is the only thing staving off total global annihilation. So unsheath those earbuds, clench that steering wheel, and buckle up because EPIC is about to take off.This month, we are featuring Silver Wing: On a desert planet in the far future, an old dragon hunter embarks on a desperate journey to save her estranged son. For centuries, the dragons have been sleeping. But in their rest, they provide a crucial energy source necessary to keep the planet Toon Flats habitable. Amphet Dahl is a diviner, gifted with the ability to sense the dragons’ dreams and memories and to the disappointment of her son, Afton, she uses this ability to Inside Out THE OUTSIDERS Weekly Podcast from The Outsiders a Youth Group from Freedom Chapel located in Long Island NY Island Girls Rock Podcast Island Girls Rock! The Island Girls Rock podcast brings together Caribbean girls and women of all ages to share stories, creativity and lived experience. Hosted by Chantal Miller, the series explores the richness of Caribbean life through conversations filled with humour, insight and connection. Rooted in creativity, wellness and sustainability, we highlight intergenerational voices from across the region and its Diaspora.This podcast is an Island Girls Rock production, produced by Chantal Miller and BreAnna Holmes, hosted by Chantal Miller, and edited by BreAnna Holmes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Take Note Ted Walker & Adam Webb Take Note is a podcast and a blog about paying attention and keeping a notebook and occasionally Kong: Skull Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Desert Island Discs?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this Desert Island Discs episode published?

This episode was published on December 19, 1999.

What is this episode about?

Sue Lawley's guest this week is Michael Nyman. Said to be the best-selling classical composer in Britain, as a child visiting the opera or concert hall his imagination would be caught by a particularly pleasing sequence of notes. Later, he was to...

Can I download this Desert Island Discs episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.