Main content

Sir Ernst Gombrich

Sue Lawley's castaway is art historian Sir Ernst Gombrich.

The castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is art historian Sir Ernst Gombrich. His most famous book, The Story of Art, was written more than 40 years ago, yet it remains the world's most popular introduction to great artists and their work.

He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his life and work recalling his first impressions of England to which he came from Vienna in 1936, his time translating German propaganda broadcasts for the 麻豆社 during the Second World War and explaining why he prefers to help people appreciate art rather than own it himself.

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

Favourite track: Divertimento For Violin In E Flat by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: Goethe's Poems by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Luxury: Bath tub with an endless supply of hot water

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 10 Apr 1992 09:05
麻豆社 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Lady Soames

Next

Anthony Rolfe Johnson

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Well-tempered Clavier, Book 1 - Prelude in C major

    Soloist: Leonie Gombrich

    • In Memoriam Leonie Gombrich.
    • Snellgrove.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127

    Orchestra: The Busch Quartet

    • String Quartet Nos 1 And 2 Busch Quartet.
    • HMV.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 6 in F major 'Pastoral'

    Orchestra: The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Arturo Toscanini

    • Beethoven Symphonies 1, 4, 6, And 7.
    • HMV.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat major

    Soloist: Rudolf Serkin, Alexander Schneider Orchestra: The Marlboro Festival Orchestra

    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 6 Great Piano Concertos.
    • CBS.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Divertimento For Violin In E Flat

      Orchestra: The Kehr Trio

      • Mozart - Divertimento & Adagio & Fugue.
      • Vox.

  • Joseph Haydn

    String Quartet in C major

    Orchestra: The Dekany Quartet

    • Haydn String Quartet Vol III.
    • Vox.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Et incarnatus est (from Nelson Mass)

    Soloist: Lisa Della Casa Orchestra: The Vienna Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Jonathan Sternberg

    • Missa Solemnis In D Minor (Lord Nelson Mass).
    • Nixa.

  • Franz Schubert

    Der Einsame, D800

    Soloist: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Alfred Brendel

    • Schubert Songs/Lieder Incl. Der Einsame.
    • Philips.

  • Book Choice

    • Goethe's Poems - Johann Wolfgang Goethe

  • Luxury Choice

    • Bath tub with an endless supply of hot water

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Ernst H. Gombrich

Broadcasts

  • Sun 5 Apr 1992 12:15
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Fri 10 Apr 1992 09:05
    麻豆社 Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast