Susana Walton
Sue Lawley's castaway is horticulturalist Lady Susana Walton.
This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is Lady Walton. Within two weeks of meeting the composer Sir William Walton, Susana Gil Passo had accepted his marriage proposal and left her home in Argentina. When they moved to the island of Ischia, she began transforming the barren land into what is now La Mortella - one of the most famous and beautiful gardens of the Mediterranean. It boasts more than 600 exotic plants - including tree ferns, jacaranda and the huge Victoria Amazonica Waterlily - and is the backdrop to summer concerts organised in Sir William's memory. In conversation with Sue Lawley, she talks about her life and work and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: Troilus and Cressida, Act Two by Sir William Walton
Book: The Education of a Gardener by Russel Page
Luxury: Downy pillow
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Music Played
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Castaway's Favourite
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William Walton
Troilus and Cressida, Act Two
Soloist: Judith Howarth, Arthur Davies
- Troilus and Cressida.
- Chandos.
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Astor Piazzolla
Le Grand Tango
Soloist: Gidon Kremer, Vadim Sakharov
- Hommage a Piazzolla.
- Nonesuch.
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Franz Liszt
Faust Symphony
Orchestra: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Sir Thomas Beecham
- Liszt: A Faust Symphony.
- EMI.
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Paul Hindemith
String Trio No. 2
Orchestra: Hindemith Trio
- Paul Hindemith.
- Koch.
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William Walton
Charge and Battle
Artist: Philaharmonia Orchestra
- The Walton Edition.
- EMI.
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Felix Mendelssohn
Song without Words 'Venetian Gondola Song'
Artist: Nathan Berg, Eugene Asti
- Mendelssohn Songs and Duets.
- Hyperion.
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William Walton
Polka (from Fa莽ade)
Soloist: Lady Walton
- Walton: Facade.
- Chandos.
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Giuseppe Verdi
Falstaff Act 3
Soloist: Tito Gobbi
- Verdi: Falstaff.
- EMI.
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Book Choice
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The Education of a Gardener - Russel Page
Luxury Choice
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Downy pillow
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Sue Lawley |
| Interviewed Guest | Susana Walton |
Broadcasts
- Sun 13 Jan 2002 11:15大象传媒 Radio 4
- Fri 18 Jan 2002 09:00大象传媒 Radio 4
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