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Sir James Callaghan

Michael Parkinson's castaway is former Prime Minister Sir James Callaghan.

Sir James Callaghan has the distinction of being the only politician to have held the four highest offices in the state. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary, before becoming Prime Minister in 1976. In an interview with Michael Parkinson recorded in April 1987, he looks back on his career and chooses the eight records to take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Jupiter Symphony: 3rd Movement by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Luxury: Telescope and a star-gazing book

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40 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Oct 1987 09:05
BBC Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Fats Waller

    I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Symphony No. 41 in C major 'Jupiter' - 3rd movement

      Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Karl Böhm

  • Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9/1

    Soloist: Vladimir Ashkenazy

  • Bob Newhart

    Introducing Tobacco To Civilisation

  • Hubert Parry

    Jesu, lover of my soul

    Choir: Huddersfield Choral Society

    • The Hymns Album.

  • Joseph Canteloube

    Sheperd's Song (from Songs of the Auvergne)

    Soloist: Josephine Jones Choir: Treorchy Male Voice Choir

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G major

    Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra Conductor: Benjamin Britten

  • Band of HM Royal Marines

    The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Has Ended / Sunset

  • Book Choice

    • War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

  • Luxury Choice

    • Telescope and a star-gazing book

Credits

Presenter Michael Parkinson
Interviewed Guest Sir James Callaghan

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Oct 1987 12:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 23 Oct 1987 09:05
    BBC Radio 4

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