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Dame Fanny Waterman

Kirsty Young's castaway is Dame Fanny Waterman, founder of Leeds International Piano competition.

Kirsty Young's castaway is Dame Fanny Waterman.

It was during a sleepless night, more than forty years ago, that she came up with the idea of launching a piano competition in Leeds. Since then it's become a world renowned event and been a springboard for many of our most celebrated pianists including Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia.

Although she is now 90 years old, she still teaches masterclasses and continues to be involved with every detail of the competition. "They call me Field Marshal Fanny" she says, "I am a busy breeches."

Record: Radu Lupu- Piano Concerto No.3
Book: The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith
Luxury: A grand piano and a stool.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 9 Jul 2010 09:00

Music Played

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    II Andante, Concerto No.21 for Piano & Orchestra

    Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra Conductor: Murray Perahia

    • Perahia Plays and Conducts Mozart.
    • CBS Masterworks.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    The opening of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G

    Orchestra: The Academy of St Martin in the Fields Conductor: Neville Marriner

    • Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos, Nos. 1, 2 & 3.
    • Philips.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Perpetuum Mobile in C

    Soloist: Benjamin Frith

    • Piano Works Vol.1.
    • Naxos.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Dawn

    Orchestra: Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Conductor: Bernard Haitink

    • Peter Grimes.
    • EMI.
  • Robert Schumann

    Seit ich ihn gesehen - The moment II saw him, I was blind

    Soloist: Dame Janet Baker

    • Sheherazade.
    • EMI.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor

      Soloist: Radu Lupu Orchestra: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Zubin Mehta

      • Beethoven: Piano Concertos 3 & 4.
      • Decca.
  • Franz Schubert

    The opening of the second movement of Piano Trio No.1 in B Flat

    Orchestra: The Beaux Arts Trio

    • Schubert: Piano Trio No.1.
    • Philips.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Symphony No. 2 in D major

    Orchestra: Royal Concertgrbouw Orchestra Conductor: Riccardo Chailly

    • Brahms: Symphony No.2.
    • Decca.
  • Book Choice

    • The Diary of a Nobody - George Grossmith

  • Luxury Choice

    • Grand piano and a stool

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Fanny Waterman

Broadcasts

  • Sun 4 Jul 2010 11:15
  • Fri 9 Jul 2010 09:00

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