George McGavin, entomologist and broadcaster
George McGavin, entomologist and broadcaster, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item he would take with him if cast away to a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.
George McGavin is an entomologist, explorer and broadcaster, who has spread the word about the importance of insects to audiences in their millions.
Born in Glasgow, he grew up in Edinburgh where he studied zoology at university. Following a PhD in entomology, he went on to teach and research at the University of Oxford. He gave up his post as the assistant curator of the university鈥檚 Museum of Natural History after 25 years to follow his dream of becoming a television presenter.
He has presented documentaries from far-flung locations including Borneo, Guyana and New Guinea. He has made it his life鈥檚 work to uncover the mysteries of the largely uncatalogued world of invertebrates which he says makes up close to 80% of life on earth.
In 2018 he was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer and the following year he turned the camera on himself to present a very personal programme about his diagnosis and treatment.
DISC ONE: Love Reign O鈥檈r Me by The Who
DISC TWO: The Dark Island by The Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch
DISC THREE: Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85, composed by Edward Elgar, performed by Jacqueline du Pr茅 and London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli
DISC FOUR: Night Lament by Kate Rusby
DISC FIVE: To Begin at the Beginning read by Richard Burton, from Under Milk Wood
DISC SIX: Keep Talking by Pink Floyd
DISC SEVEN: Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata by Maria Callas and Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Tullio Serafin
DISC EIGHT: The Bog by Einojuhani Rautavaara
BOOK CHOICE: A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor
LUXURY ITEM: Hot sauce
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85, performed by Jacqueline du Pr茅 and London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Paula McGinley
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Music Played
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The Who
Love, Reign O'er Me
- Quadrophenia.
- Polydor Limited.
- 7.
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The Band of the Black Watch
The Dark Island
- Scotdisc.
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Edward Elgar
Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85
Performer: Jacqueline du Pr茅. Conductor: John Barbirolli. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra.- Cello Concerto; Sea Pictures.
- Warner Classics.
- 1.
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Kate Rusby
Night Lament
- Life in a Paper Boat.
- Pure Records.
- 11.
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Richard Burton
To Begin at the Beginning
- Under Milk Wood.
- Argo.
- 1.
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Pink Floyd
Keep Talking
- The Division Bell.
- Parlophone Records Limited.
- 9.
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Maria Callas
Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata
- Puccini & Bellini Arias / Arien / Airs.
- EMI.
- 2.
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Einojuhani Rautavaara
The Bog
- Cantus Arcticus.
- Catalyst.
- 1.
Broadcasts
- Sun 7 Feb 2021 11:0091热爆 Radio 4
- Fri 12 Feb 2021 09:0091热爆 Radio 4
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