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A British composer, a Northern Irish MP, a Romanian architect, a German mayor and a British supercentenarian

Obituary series. Matthew Bannister remembers composer Sir John Tavener, SDLP MP Eddie McGrady, Romanian architect Anca Petrescu and German mayor Manfred Rommel.

Matthew Bannister on the prolific composer Sir John Tavener, who wrote a seven hour epic called The Veil, and music performed at Princess Diana's funeral.

Eddie McGrady - the respected SDLP MP for South Down in Northern Ireland who worked tirelessly for peace and helped to negotiate the Good Friday agreement.

Anca Petrescu - the architect who built an enormous palace for the Romanian dictator Nicolai Ceaucescu - it's the world's second largest building.

And Manfred Rommel, son of the German General Erwin Rommel and Mayor of Stuttgart for many years. We have a tribute from Viscount Montgomery who became his friend.

Plus Grace Jones, who has died aged 113 years old.

Producer: Laura Northedge.

Available now

28 minutes

Sir John Tavener (pictured)

Matthew spoke to fellow composer Judith Weir and to conductor Stephen Layton.

Born 28 January 1944; died 12 November 2013 aged 69.

Manfred Rommel

Matthew spoke to his friend Viscount Montgomery and to journalist Jurgen Waibel.

Born 24 December 1928; died 7 November 2013 aged 84.

Anca Petrescu

Matthew Sweet pays tribute.

Born 20 March 1949; died 30 October 2013 aged 64.

Eddie McGrady

Matthew spoke to Irish politicians Margaret Ritchie and Jim Wells and to 大象传媒 Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport.

Born 3 June 1935; died 11 November 2013 aged 78.

Grace Jones

Matthew spoke to her MP, Simon Hughes.

Born 7 December 1899; died 14 November 2013 aged 113.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Matthew Bannister
Producer Laura Northedge
Interviewed Guest David Montgomery

Broadcasts

  • Fri 15 Nov 2013 16:00
  • Sun 17 Nov 2013 20:30

Podcast