Dame Fanny Waterman - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Kirsty Young's castaway is Dame Fanny Waterman.

It was during a sleepless night, more than forty years ago, that she came up with the idea of launching a piano competition in Leeds. Since then it's become a world renowned event and been a springboard for many of our most celebrated pianists including Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia.

Although she is now 90 years old, she still teaches masterclasses and continues to be involved with every detail of the competition. "They call me Field Marshal Fanny" she says, "I am a busy breeches."

Record: Radu Lupu- Piano Concerto No.3
Book: The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith
Luxury: A grand piano and a stool.

Further episodes of Desert Island Discs: Archive 2005-2010

Further podcasts by BBC Radio 4

Website of BBC Radio 4