Private Passions - Michael Morpurgo

Michael Berkeley welcomes the much loved children's author Michael Morpurgo, author of over 100 books of 'magical storytelling'. His 1982 novel 'War Horse', the poignant story of a Devon-bred colt who is shipped off to France as a cavalry horse during the First World War, was turned into a smash hit production at the National Theatre, and is still playing to packed houses in London's West End. Morpurgo has never shied away from the grittier, even tragic aspects of life. His most recent books are 'The Kites are Flying', about a journalist who travels to the West Bank to explore life on both sides of the wall that divides Jews and Palestinians; and 'Running Wild', a heart-rending tale about a boy caught up in an Indonesian tsunami who is saved by the elephant he happens to be riding at the time. He sang in his school choir, and several of his Private Passions choices reflect his love of vocal music, including Tallis's great 40-part motet 'Spem in alium', Alfred Deller singing Purcell's 'Fairest Isle', Anthony Rolfe-Johnson singing Handel's 'Where'ere you Walk', the opening chorus of Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio', which for him represents the spirit of Christmas, and Kathleen Ferrier singing 'Sound the Trumpet', from Purcell's 'Come ye sons of art away'. He visits Venice often, and his love of the city is reflected in his choices of Vivaldi's Concerto in D for lute and strings, while his passionate love of the English countryside finds an echo in the third movement of Beethoven's 'Pastoral' Symphony, and in 'Nimrod' from Elgar's 'Enigma' Variations. (Rpt).