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George Saunders, writer

George Saunders, a Booker Prize-winning novelist and master of the short-story form, shares his musical choices with Michael Berkeley.

The American writer George Saunders won the 2017 Booker Prize with his first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. It’s a moving exploration of the grief of President Lincoln as he mourns his 11-year-old son Willie – and it’s voiced by the weird and wonderful spirits trapped in the cemetery.

George was 58 when the novel was published. In the decades before that, he won renown and awards as a master of the short story. He’s also won legions of followers for his close analysis of the form.

Most recently he’s published a second novel, Vigil, in which spirits return – this time to the deathbed of an oil tycoon.

His musical choices include John Adams, William Grant Still, Caroline Shaw and Dvorak.

Producer: Katy Hickman

19 days left to listen

1 hour, 26 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 Mar 202612:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • William Grant Still

    Song of the Rivermen (The American Scene: The Southwest)

    Orchestra: Manhattan Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Auldon Clark.
    • William Grant Still: the American Scene.
    • Newport Classic.
    • 3.

  • Leo Kottke

    Machine #2

    Performer: Leo Kottke.
    • Mudlark.
    • CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92).
    • 10.

  • Al Di Meola

    Land Of The Midnight Sun

    Performer: Al Di Meola.
    • Land Of The Midnight Sun.
    • Columbia.
    • 2.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Symphony No 9 in E minor, Op 95 "From the New World" (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Chineke! Orchestra. Conductor: Kevin John Edusei.
    • Dvořák:Symphony No. 9, From the New world - Sibelius: Finlandia.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 202.

  • George Gershwin

    Prelude No.2 in C sharp minor

    Performer: Wayne Marshall.
    • A Gershwin Songbook & Improvisations.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • 2.

  • John Adams

    Harmonielehre (1st mvt)

    Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero. Orchestra: Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
    • John Adams: My Father Knew Charles Ives & Harmonielehre.
    • Naxos.
    • 1.

  • Missy Mazzoli

    Wayward Free Radical Dreams (Vespers for a New Dark Age)

    Performer: Glenn Kotche. Ensemble: Victoire. Singer: Mellissa Hughes. Singer: Mattha Cluver. Singer: Virginia Warnton.
    • Missy Mazzoli: Vespers for a New Dark Age.
    • New Amsterdam Records.
    • 1.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    String Quartet No. 8 in C minor (4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Fitzwilliam String Quartet.
    • Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 3, 8 & 13.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 9.

  • Caroline Shaw

    Partita for 8 voices (1st mvmt, Allemande)

    Ensemble: Roomful of Teeth.
    • Partita for 8 Voices.
    • New Amsterdam Records.
    • 1.

  • Aaron Copland

    Appalachian Spring Suite

    Orchestra: Nashville Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Gambill.
    • Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring (Ballet Suite). Clarinet Concerto, Quiet City.
    • Naxos.
    • 6.

Broadcast

  • Sun 15 Mar 202612:00
    BBC Radio 3

Podcast