A profile of Katherine Anderson

Katherine Anderson is a Library Services Coordinator at the Philip Robinson Library and has answered the following questions in Desert Island Disc style:

1. Pick some pieces of music for your stay that are special to you:

- Maximising the Audience – Wim Mertens (1984)

Though probably intensely annoying to some, this piece of ‘80s minimalism evokes fond memories of being an enthusiastic theatre student, avidly trying to remember a sequence of 75 letters, for a performance to this track.  Fast-forward 40 years and it’s still my go-to music when I need to focus on a specific task.  So a good choice to get me working on that shelter/raft:

- This Charming Man - The Smiths (1983)

Rather a dilemma, as this isn’t my favourite Smiths’ song, but it is the first I heard, and it kick-started my love of Johnny Marr’s major keys.  Sitting in my bedroom, listening to John Peel, the opening chords interrupted my A-level history homework.  2 minutes and 45 seconds of Sleuth, A Taste of Honey and Billy Liar references later and that was it - life had officially split into ‘before and after The Smiths’.

- You’re a Lady - Peter Skellern (1972)

My mum taught English, my dad played the trombone and, back in the ‘70s, this was one of their favourites.  When in a reflective mood, I can listen and imagine them together again, young and in love.  Lush, unashamedly romantic, gorgeous.

- Drop, Drop Slow Tears - Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)

I was on the verge of picking Verdi's Dies Irae, but I think my moods would be turbulent enough without adding that into the mix.  So, instead, playing this whilst contemplating the stars will restore my faith in the beauty of the world.  From the ridiculous to the sublime, indeed.

P.S.  If you do want to listen to the Verdi, this Gustavo Dudamel version offers the best drums/hair combination.  Turn it up to 11.

2. Which book(s) would you like to take with you? You will already find the Complete Works of Shakespeare and a copy of the Bible or your choice of sacred text waiting for you on the island:

- The Dribblesome Teapots, by Norman Hunter

These stories about hapless, Ruritanian-ish royalty and upper classes in a variety of pickles made me laugh uncontrollably as a child.  Even now I can’t have a vaccination without thinking about the Lord Chancellor desperately trying to eat a bit of damp dishcloth in ‘The Unexpected Banquet’ (you really need to read it).

- Martin Chuzzlewitt, by Charles Dickens

Two of Dickens’s best villains getting their comeuppance is the gift that keeps on giving for those of us super-keen on seeing justice done.

- The Complete Mapp and Lucia, E. F. Benson

I’m detecting a distinct whiff of schadenfreude in these choices, but this pitch-perfect comedy of manners has the same effect on me as a grown-up as The Dribblesome Teapots had when I was small.  Having the complete set is a sleight of hand, but it is available as a single volume, so yah boo sucks.  Au reservoir…

- The Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy

My only choice where, arguably, the wrong people prosper in the end, but that’s Hardy for you.  Dark and intense, with a heart-breaking extra plot twist that retains the power to shock even after numerous re-readings.

3. What band/singer from the past or present would you like to perform for you on the island?:

The Cambridge Singers – I can demand they sing all the music which didn’t quite qualify for the “tracks to take” list.  Also, I can join in and they won’t be able to stop me

Some examples of their music are as follows:

O Vos Omnes, Tomas Luis de Victoria:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m11B9GuDUmM

Sicut Cervus, Palestrina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yd5EE0hAB8

4. What podcast and/or radio station would you like access to?:

I couldn’t choose between words and music so I wrote BBC Sounds first, thought it was a cheat, then saw Karina had done the same and that it had been disallowed.

So I suppose I’ll have Radio 3 (for when the Cambridge Singers have made their bid for freedom).  I’ll resort to my soundtrack choices, though, when they (inexplicably) play jaaaazzzz.

5. What TV show and/or film would you like to watch?:

The Morecambe and Wise Show (including the Christmas specials).  I’m old, they’re brilliant, that’s all I’m saying.

Runner-up prize to Detectorists.  A gentle jewel and my No. 1 favourite series of the last decade.

6. Pick a luxury item for your stay!:

A comprehensive plant identifier, or I’ll be dead in under a week.