Private Passions - Richard Fortey

Michael Berkeley's guest is palaeontologist Dr Richard Fortey, whose latest book, Dry Store Room No 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum, offers an entertaining account of life behind the scenes at the famous institution where he has worked for many years. His musical choices reflect his interest in the natural world and range from Ravel's celebrated depiction of sunrise in Daphnis and Chloe to Bartok's 'night music' in Music for strings, percussion of celesta. M Berkeley The Wakeful Poet (Music from Chaucer) (pub OUP) Beaux-Arts Brass Quintet BBQ BBQ 003 T10 00 25 1. Ravel Dawn from Daphnis and Chloe New England Conservatory Chorus and Alumni Chorus, Boston SO/Charles Munch Ravel RCA 09026-61846-2 T17-19 06 13 2. Janacek The Cunning Little Vixen Dalibor Jedlicka (The Forester), Peter Saray (Frog), Vienna PO/Charles Mackerras DECCA 417 129-2 T7-9 06 58 3. Vaughan Williams Romance for harmonica and orchestra Larry Adler (harmonica), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (no conductor credited) Vaughan Williams RCA GD 89787 T4 06 51 4. Britten Rejoice in the Lamb Festival Cantata, Op 30 (chorus: For I am under the same accusation) Choir Of King’s College, Cambridge, James Lancelot (organ), David Corkhill (percussion)/Philip Leger Britten EMI 565111-2 T5 02 26 5. Miles Davis Two Bass Hit (Lewis/Gillespie) The Miles Davis Quintet Round About Midnight COLUMBIA COL 519957-2 T7 03 45 7. Bartók Music for strings, percussion and celeste (Adagio) Chicago SO/Fritz Reiner Bartók RCA 8287661390-2 T8 06 58 8. Messiaen Regard des hauteurs (Vingt regards sur l’Enfant Jésus) Steven Osborne (piano) Messiaen HYPERION CDA67351 CD1 T8 02 12