A very long running program on BBC radio 4, 'Desert Island Discs" featured some body who opted to take Gordon with him. This was tranmitted on 17 November 2002 (I am sure that is someones birthday)
Christopher Ondaatje
Christopher Ondaatje was born in the British colony of Ceylon and educated at Blundell's School in Tiverton, Devon. He moved to Canada and in 1964 was a member of the Canadian Olympic Bobsled team. He is a retired businessman with a taste for adventure, philanthropy and cricket (he is a patron of Somerset County Cricket Club). He is a member of the exclusive club of Labour's 'million plus' donors and his philanthropy does not stop there - he has also given over a million pounds to the Royal Geographical Society and the National Portrait Gallery, who named a wing of the gallery after him.
Married with three children and 12 grandchildren, Mr Ondaatje is now based in London when he is not travelling the world. His lust for adventure has fuelled several books - most famously Journey to the Source of the Nile.
1. Introduction: Der Rosenkavalier
Performer: Vienna Philharmonic
Composer: Richard Strauss
Publisher: Polydor International
CD Title: Der Rosenkavalier
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Rec No: 415 284-2
2. Blow the wind southerly
Performer: Kathleen Ferrier
Composer: Trad - arranged Whittaker
Publisher: Decca
CD Title: The World of Kathleen Ferrier
Label: Decca
Rec No: 430 096-2
3. Learn to Croon
Performer: Bing Crosby
Composer: Arthur Johnson
Publisher: Turner Entertainment
CD Title: Going Hollywood Vol 1 - 1930-1936
Track: 20
Label: Jasmine Records
Rec No JASCD 108/9
4. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
Performer: Bessie Smith
Composer: Cox
Publisher: Catfish Records
CD Title: After You've Gone
Track: 7
Label: Catfish
Rec No: KATCD210
5. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Performer: Gordon Lightfoot
Composer: Lightfoot
Publisher: Liberty Records
CD Title: Sonata K448/Schubert: Fantasia D940
Track: 11
Label: BGO Records
Rec No: BGOCD 296
6. J'ai Deux Amours (I have two loves)
Performer: Josephine Baker
Composer: Scotto/Koger/Varna
Publisher: ASV
CD Title: Twenty Four Hits - 1926-1944
Track: 2
Label: ASV
Rec No: AD AJA 5239
7. Weary Blues
Performer: Louis Armstrong
Composer: A Matthews
Publisher: CBS Recording
CD Title: The Hot Fives and Hot Sevens , volume 11
Track: 14
Label: Columbia
Rec No: CK 44253
8. The trio from the end of Act 3
Performer: Agnes Baltsa, Anna Tomowa-Sintow & Janet Terry
Composer: Strauss
Publisher: Polydor International
CD Title: Der Rosenkavalier
Track: 8
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Rec No: 415 284-2
If Christopher could only take one of the eight records it would be Der Rosenkavalier.
His book, in addition to the Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare, would be Robert Service's Anthology of Poetry.
His luxury would be a painting - the Blue Nude by Justin Deranyagala.
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