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Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Jeffrey Tate

12/02/1989

Jeffrey Tate

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Jeffrey Tate

Sue Lawley's castaway is conductor Jeffery Tate

Sue Lawley's castaway is conductor Jeffery Tate.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is Jeffrey Tate, principal conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Opera House, and chief guest conductor of the Geneva Opera. Until the age of 27, his chosen profession was medicine, but once a fully-qualified doctor, he switched his career to become one of the most sought-after conductors of his time - both in Britain and abroad. This is an achievement impressive enough in itself, but doubly so given that since childhood he has suffered from a condition which has resulted in curvature of the spine and a paralysed left leg, which means that, for the most part, he conducts sitting on a high stool.

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

Sue Lawley will be talking to Jeffrey Tate about his transition from medicine to a stunning musical career and the problems he has overcome to achieve such extraordinary success.

Favourite track: I'll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday
Book: The collected works by Jane Austen
Luxury: Nativity painting from the National Gallery

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Coverage of the 1989 earthquake and the domestic partnership bill

Coverage of the 1989 earthquake and the domestic partnership bill

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Coverage of the 1989 earthquake and the domestic partnership bill

An examination of the arguments surrounding the domestic partnership bill.

Television coverage of the 1989 Californian earthquake, the birth of the docudrama, and the bill allowing homosexuals to register as married couples in San Francisco.

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Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Coverage of the 1989 earthquake and the domestic partnership bill

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